IBN24 Desk: Raipur (chhattisgarh) Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said Chhattisgarh received national recognition for both its sporting talent and cultural heritage after Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted young sprinter Shri Animesh Kujur and the archaeological significance of Malhar during the 134th episode of Mann Ki Baat.
Listening to the programme along with public representatives and distinguished citizens at his residential office in Raipur, Shri Sai said Prime Minister’s mention of Chhattisgarh on a national platform was a matter of pride, inspiration and confidence for the entire state.
“When the country’s top leadership highlights the achievements and strengths of a state, it is not merely recognition of individuals but of the aspirations, hard work and identity of crores of people of the state,” Chief Minister said.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Sai said Mann Ki Baat has emerged as a powerful platform that gives national visibility to positive initiatives, innovations, talent and inspiring life journeys from across the country.
A major highlight of the programme was the Prime Minister’s reference to Shri Animesh Kujur, a young athlete from Ghuitangar, a small village in Jashpur district, who has earned recognition at national and international levels. Chief Minister said the mention of Shri Animesh’s achievements sends a strong message to young people that limited resources cannot restrict talent when supported by dedication, discipline and hard work.
He added that the manner in which Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presented the achievements of Shri Animesh Kujur and Shri Gurindervir Singh in Mann Ki Baat infused fresh energy among the country’s youth. During the programme, the Prime Minister interacted with both athletes over the phone and noted that the national record in the men’s 100-metre event was broken three times within just two days, describing it as a remarkable example of positive competition in sports.
Chief Minister said the development represented much more than a sporting statistic. “It reflects the confidence, discipline and world-class aspirations of India’s youth,” he said.
Highlighting Shri Animesh’s achievement, Shri Sai said the young sprinter completed the 100-metre race in 10.15 seconds, setting a new national record and qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He described Shri Animesh’s journey as particularly inspiring, noting that the athlete came from a rural background in Jashpur and studied at Sainik School, Ambikapur before reaching the international stage through perseverance, discipline and family support.
Chief Minister said Animesh’s success demonstrates that Chhattisgarh is rich in talent and that young people from the state can establish themselves on the global stage when provided with suitable opportunities.
Referring to the interaction between the Prime Minister and the athlete, Shri Sai said Shri Animesh shared how his interest in sports grew during the Covid period and how encouragement from friends led him towards athletics. Despite challenges and doubts, he remained committed to his goals and never looked back. He also conveyed that Indian athletes are capable of creating a new identity in world-class sprinting and that Indian youth are second to none in any field.
