Ramshe Gujarat, Jeetshe Gujarat! Thoughts on the Khel Mahakumbh

Published By : Admin | January 18, 2013 | 08:24 IST

Dear Friends,

After the results of the 2012 Gujarat Vidhan Sabha were declared and in between the massive preparations of the 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, I attended a very important function in Gandhinagar. The occasion was the flagging off of the Torch Rally for Khel Mahakumbh 2012-2013. Usually we have the Khel Mahakumbh, our annual sports extravaganza, in November but the Model Code of Conduct did not permit us to do the same in 2012. Hence, the Khel Mahakumbh commences today, on 18th January.

In this edition of the Khel Mahakumbh, we expect to see a record participation from athletes cutting across all age groups. Already over 24 lakh athletes including over 1 lakh specially abled athletes have registered for 20 sporting events, which is far higher than the 18-lakh participants we had during Khel Mahakumbh 2011. The Torch Rally itself has moved around the length and breadth of the state for the last 18 days to further popularize the Khel Mahakumbh. Being the 150th birth year of Swami Vivekananda, the Gujarat Government set up Vivekananda Yuva Kendras in the last one year, which will provide a great impetus to the Khel Mahakumbh.

Initiatives such as Khel Mahakumbh are not merely sports meets where players come, play and leave; this is not a one-off event held to fill the calendar of the Government. In reality, the Khel Mahakumbh is an integral part of a larger determination of the Government to promote a culture of sports and sportsmanship among the people of Gujarat.

I have noticed that due to pressures of books, education, classes etc. the sports fields wear a desolate look during the evenings. This is a far cry from our times, when were eagerly awaited an evening game as much as we awaited a stimulating lecture. This is a matter of concern. The wide availability of video games, computer games and television have made the home a much better place of recreation as compared to the field.

This reminds me of a similar situation about which I had read about- in China it was noticed that after coming back from school, little children preferred to watch cartoons instead of going out to play. That is when the authorities decided not to screen any cartoon during a certain time so that the children go on the field.

We must make sports an integral part of our lives. It is a fact that without sport there can be no sportsman spirit. It is also rightly said,
“Jo Khele, Woh Khile” (The person who plays, shines!).
We need not be professionals at the sport we play but picking up one sport as a hobby is something that can do wonders for our overall personal development.

We have decided to leave no stone unturned to promote every aspect of sports development. Our efforts are not limited to creating only talented players. There is an immense Human Resource Development potential linked with sports and we want that to grow leaps and bounds. Why cant we think of empowering umpiring skills, refereeing skills, encourage all the youngsters who are part of the proceedings without being on the field? There is scope for immense growth in areas of sports medicine, sports journalism and sports infrastructure. Our Sports Policy looks at all these issues comprehensively. We have also come up with a Sports Academy and are working towards creating Sports Schools in every district. We need to go further ahead and scale new heights of glory and give our youngsters the opportunity to shine on the sports field.

Apart from the Khel Mahakumbh, I invite you to be a part of Kutch Desert Car Rally 2013 that will be held on 25th January 2013. The Desert Car Rally has been a unique inititative to promote tourism and adventure sports in Kutch and in the past few editions it has really grown to spectacular heights.

Gujarat has just witnessed the Kumbh of development during the 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Summit. At the same time the Maha Kumbh is underway at Prayag and today I invite every one of you to extend your participation and support during this Mahakumbh of sports and sportsmanship. Those of you who are not playing should go to the venues and encourage the athletes. Breathe in their passion, their dedication and their determination. Victory and defeat are not the only aspects of sports. What is more important is the healthy atmosphere of sportsman spirit and this is what we seek to do during the Khel Mahakumbh, with the Mantra of
‘Ramshe Gujarat, Jeetshe Gujarat’ (Gujarat will play, Gujarat will win). So, come and be a part of this Mahakumbh of sports development!

Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat

Narendra Modi

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Tribute to Shri Ratan Tata
November 09, 2024

It has been a month since Shri Ratan Tata Ji left us. From bustling cities and towns to villages, his absence is deeply felt across every segment of society. Seasoned industrialists, budding entrepreneurs and hardworking professionals mourn his loss. Those passionate about the environment and devoted to philanthropy are equally saddened. His absence has been deeply felt not only across the nation but also around the world.

For the youth, Shri Ratan Tata was an inspiration, a reminder that dreams are worth pursuing and that success can coexist with compassion as well as humility. For others, he represented the finest traditions of Indian enterprise and a steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, excellence and service. Under his leadership, the Tata Group ascended to new heights, embodying respect, honesty and credibility worldwide. Despite this, he wore his achievements lightly, with humility and kindness.

Shri Ratan Tata’s unwavering support for the dreams of others was one of his most defining qualities. In recent years, he became known for mentoring India’s StartUp ecosystem, investing in many promising ventures. He understood the hopes and aspirations of young entrepreneurs and recognised the potential they had to shape India’s future. By backing their efforts, he empowered a generation of dreamers to take bold risks and push boundaries. This has gone a long way in creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which I am confident will continue to positively impact India for decades to come.

He constantly championed excellence, urging Indian enterprises to set global benchmarks. This vision, I hope, will inspire our future leaders to make India synonymous with world-class quality.

His greatness was not restricted to the boardroom or helping fellow humans. His compassion extended to all living beings. His deep love for animals was well-known and he supported every possible effort focused on animal welfare. He often shared photos of his dogs, who were as much a part of his life as any business venture. His life was a reminder to us all that true leadership is measured not just by one’s achievements, but by one’s ability to care for the most vulnerable.

For crores of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. His swift reopening of the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks was a rallying call to the nation—India stands united, refusing to yield to terrorism.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing him very closely over the years. We worked closely in Gujarat, where he invested extensively, including in many of the projects he was very passionate about. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Vadodara with the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez and we jointly inaugurated an aircraft complex where C-295 aircrafts would be made in India. It was Shri Ratan Tata who started working on this. Needless to say, Shri Ratan Tata’s presence was greatly missed.

I remember Shri Ratan Tata Ji as a man of letters—he would frequently write to me on various issues, be it matters of governance, expressing appreciation for government support, or sending congratulatory wishes after electoral victories.

Our close interactions continued when I moved to the Centre and he remained a committed partner in our nation-building efforts. Shri Ratan Tata’s support for the Swachh Bharat Mission was particularly close to my heart. He was a vocal advocate of this mass movement, understanding that cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation are vital for India’s progress. I still remember his heartfelt video message for the Swachh Bharat Mission’s tenth anniversary at the start of October. It was among his final public appearances.

Another cause close to his heart was healthcare and especially the fight against cancer. I recall the programme in Assam two years ago, where we had jointly inaugurated various cancer hospitals in the state. In his remarks that time, he had categorically stated that he wishes to dedicate his final years to healthcare. His efforts to make health and cancer care accessible and affordable were rooted in a profound empathy for those battling diseases, believing that a just society was one that stood by its most vulnerable.

As we remember him today, we are reminded of the society he envisioned—where business can serve as a force for good, where every individual’s potential is valued and where progress is measured in the well-being and happiness of all. He remains alive in the lives he touched and the dreams he nurtured. Generations will be grateful to him for making India a better, kinder and more hopeful place.