Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 27 August lauded India's para athletes for their extraordinary resilience and their power to transform the lives of entire families, speaking virtually at the Khelo India Dialogue in New Delhi. Modi said para athletes' achievements carry meaning far beyond medals, reshaping how communities view sport, disability, and human potential.

Para Athletes as Agents of Change

Addressing youth participants at the dialogue, Modi drew on the personal journeys of celebrated para athletes to make his case. He specifically named Sheetal Devi, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar, and Jandu Kumar as exemplars of sport's transformative power.

'When one sees a para athlete in the field, the way of thinking about life changes. And when he achieves something, his whole family gets a new life along with that athlete,' Modi said. He added that for parents and siblings who witness an athlete's early struggles, eventual success 'gives new heights to their dreams and courage.'

Modi singled out Sheetal Devi, the armless archer from Jammu and Kashmir, whose Paralympic medal, he said, made 'the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and the whole of India proud.' He also noted that Avani Lekhara has won Paralympic medals on two occasions — a feat he described as a source of personal pride every time he meets her.

The Broader Lesson of Sportsmanship

Beyond individual achievements, Modi used the address to articulate a philosophy of sport as a life skill. 'Sports not only teach us to be champions but also how to be better competitors. To get up, to fall, to fall and to get up again — sport brings this feeling inside us,' he said.

He argued that the spirit of sportsmanship is foundational to a healthy society, a strong family system, and a better culture — and that this spirit cannot be learnt without stepping onto the sporting field.

Government's Sports Ecosystem Push

Modi outlined the Centre's commitment to building a modern sporting infrastructure, citing the expansion of sports universities and modern training centres as part of a system designed to support athletes from grassroots talent identification all the way to international competition. 'Our government is fully committed to creating a modern sports ecosystem in India in the 21st century,' he stated.

He added that India is actively collaborating with countries worldwide in sports science, training, and coaching — signalling an intent to benchmark Indian athletic development against global standards.

Khelo India Dialogue: Youth at the Centre

Modi described the Khelo India Dialogue as more than a sports forum, positioning it as a policy-shaping platform where youth perspectives on talent development, governance, and the Viksit Bharat vision can directly influence government decisions. 'These new ideas of youth will be the strength of a developed India,' he said, urging participants to use the platform actively.

The dialogue underscores a broader government push to institutionalise youth voice in sports policy — a shift that, if sustained, could accelerate India's transition from a cricket-dominant sporting culture to a more diverse competitive landscape ahead of future Olympic and Paralympic cycles.