Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Indian-origin cricketers playing for foreign teams, highlighting the importance of ‘Bhartiyata’. He emphasized that Indians abroad maintain a strong link to their homeland while contributing to their adopted countries. PM Modi stressed the significance of sports in uniting people, stating, “One who plays, blooms.”
Addressing the 131st episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi mentioned the ongoing T20 World Cup matches. He noted the joy felt by Indians when seeing players of Indian origin representing other nations. The Prime Minister praised the Canadian cricket team for having a significant number of Indian-origin players, including Dilpreet Bajwa and Naveneet Dhaliwal from Punjab and Chandigarh, respectively.
PM Modi also acknowledged Indian-origin players in the USA cricket team, such as Monank Patel, who have roots in Indian domestic cricket. He highlighted the contributions of players like Saurabh, Harmeet Singh, and Milind Kumar to the American team. Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned Indian-origin players in the Oman cricket team, including Jatinder Singh, Vinayak Shukla, Karan, Jai, and Ashish, who have played in various Indian states.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Indian-origin players are excelling in cricket teams from New Zealand, UAE, and Italy, bringing pride to both countries. He emphasized that Indian diaspora maintains a connection to their roots while contributing to the progress of their adopted nations, showcasing the essence of ‘Bhartiyata’.
