Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday, 31 May 2026 praised Indian sprinters Sardar Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur after their record-breaking performances at the Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi were highlighted on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.

Context

Puri's post opens with the Hindi phrase 'Kheloge kudoge banoge nawab' ('Play, leap, and you shall become a champion') — a deliberate inversion of the old adage that once discouraged children from sports. He noted that the Men's 100m at the Ranchi Federation Cup 2026 saw the national record broken three times in just two days, and that the two athletes behind those runs were invited to share their journeys on Mann Ki Baat.

Gurindervir Singh became the first Indian sprinter to breach the 10.10-second barrier, clocking a blistering 10.09 seconds. His friend and rival Animesh Kujur had broken the record earlier at the same meet before Gurindervir surpassed it — a rare sequence that electrified domestic athletics.

Policy Backdrop

Mann Ki Baat, which Prime Minister Modi launched in October 2014, regularly spotlights citizen achievements and government schemes, giving grassroots stories a national platform. Featuring the two sprinters on the programme is consistent with the government's practice of using the broadcast to link individual breakthroughs to state-supported initiatives.

The Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, underpins much of this narrative. Designed to build grassroots sports infrastructure and identify talent across disciplines, the programme has channelled funding into domestic competitions — including national-level athletics meets such as the Federation Cup — and athlete support systems.

The Athletes' Stories

On Mann Ki Baat, Animesh Kujur recounted how he continued to train through the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the personal resolve required to remain competitive without regular access to facilities. Gurindervir Singh spoke about a formative ritual at home: cleaning and polishing the many trophies won by his father and grandfather, an act that instilled in him a deep sense of athletic legacy and ambition.

Puri described both men as embodying 'the enthusiasm and spirit of India's talented sportspersons who have been shining bright in domestic and international tournaments with steadfast consistency.'

Stakeholders and Impact

The recognition carries weight beyond the two athletes. For Indian track and field, a sub-10.10 timing places the country closer to the qualifying standards required for marquee global events, raising the profile of a discipline that has historically been overshadowed by cricket and field sports in public discourse.

Youth athletes and coaches across the country — particularly those enrolled in Khelo India academies — stand to benefit from the visibility that a Mann Ki Baat mention provides, as it often translates into increased institutional attention and sponsorship interest.

What's Next

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cycle now firmly in view, the performances at Ranchi will sharpen focus on whether India can field competitive sprinters on the global stage. Upcoming Khelo India funding allocations and the selection calendar for international meets will be closely watched as indicators of how the government intends to sustain this momentum. Future Mann Ki Baat editions are expected to continue profiling athletes whose stories align with the broader narrative of a thriving domestic sports ecosystem.