Schools, organisations should encourage traditional sports: Modi
New Delhi, May 27: Stressing that traditional Indian sports like kho-kho and gilli-danda were "fading into oblivion", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged schools and youth organisations to promote them.
"Sports and games that were once a part and parcel of every child's life, in every lane in the neighbourhood, are fading into oblivion. These games used to be a special feature of summer holidays," the Prime Minister said in the 44th edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.
"Children used to play with exuberant abandon for hours together. Some games saw the participation of the whole family," he said.
Naming pitthoo, kho-kho, gilli-danda, lattoo, kite flying as few among others, Modi said these games were an "inseparable part of every child's life from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Kutch to Kamrup".
"Of course, those games were known by different names, depending on the place."
"The unity, intrinsic to our country's diversity can be witnessed in these games. A single game is known by distinct names at different places," he added.
He then said that traditional games were structured in such a manner that along with physical ability, they would enhance logical thinking, concentration, alertness and energy levels.
"There is no age limit for participating in them. From tiny tots to grand-parents, these games were played together," Modi said, adding many games made people aware about the society, environment and other spheres.
"It is crucial that today, schools, neighbourhoods and youth organisations come forward and promote these games. Through crowd-sourcing we can create a very large archive of our traditional games," he said.
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J&K polls: Amit Shah arrives in Jammu ahead of Saturday's hectic campaigning
Jammu (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Friday night ahead of the hectic day-long campaigning on Saturday during which he will address five public rallies in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah arrived here from Delhi and drove straight to the State Guest house, a senior BJP leader said.
Shah will fly to Poonch early tomorrow morning and address the first of four rallies in Mendhar followed by Surankote in Poonch district, he added.
Shah is scheduled to address rallies in Thanamandi and Rajouri followed by Akhnoor in Jammu.
He is also expected to hold a rally in the Nowshera constituency in support of Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Sunday.
