MODI TRANSFORMING INDIA INTO A SPORTS ‘SUPERPOWER’

PM Narendra Modi: Tapping the multidimensional capabilities of Indian youth - Lajja Gauswami, Shooter, Commonwealth Games medalist

I got my first medal in 2010 games and that was when I received the most precious gift of my life. I got the first weapon of my life from Modi sir. Modi sir said to me “Go ahead and achieve your dreams! The government is with you!” I was super motivated by the words he said to me. I developed interest in the sport in 2006 and was determined to pursue my passion against all odds. I completed my NCC and then I received my own rifle from Modi sir. I worked very hard, got support from NCC, and then I won the first medal. There was a lot of happiness around me. My family was celebrating and I got a call from my father saying “Modiji will be calling you!” Obviously, I found that very hard to belief and dismissed it more as prank from some one than anything serious. And when I actually got a call from Modi sir, I still was in disbelief and I hung up. The phone rang again and now I was convinced that it was none other than sir himself. That was a huge moment for me. I recognised his voice and the way he congratulated me, praised my efforts and blessed me, I was filled with gratitude and happiness. Sir motivated me a lot and asked me to meet him after the competition. I reached Gujarat after the competition and I got a call from CM office telling me that Modi sir will be visiting my house. When he came, he saw all my medals, my rifle and encouraged me to keep going. He asked me about my plans for the future. I said that this was just the beginning and that I wanted to go really far in shooting. I also expressed my desire to promote shooting as a sport in Gujarat. He assured me that his support and the support of the government shall stay with me, and that I must simply continue to work harder.

I was invited to Khel Mahakumbh that was organised in Gujarat in 2010. It was the first Khel Mahakumbh ever organised. I got the opportunity to be the baton bearer in the relay and carried the torch. What I can say is that Modi sir is like my father. I went on to win a medal in 2012 and then in 2013 I won a silver medal in World Cup in Spain. This time again I received a call from sir. Well, this time I had full faith that Modi sir will be calling me and I was invited to the CM office once again. I received the second rifle of my life from sir that day. Of course he gifted me cash on both occasions but those rifles are very close to my heart!

More importantly, after my second visit, sir brought about major changes to the Shaktidoot Yojana. Earlier players would get support of upto 2 lakhs which was indeed very less. Modi sir increased this amount to 25 lakhs which would help players in their training and included cash rewards.

I recollect that I went to CM’s office with my mother and father. I did not feel at all that I was meeting someone so big and powerful. When I entered the room, he was standing and welcomed me with such warmth that I almost felt as if I was meeting a relative. He hugged me and asked me how I was feeling. I felt really happy and was not scared of meeting him thereafter. I then showed my rifle to Modi sir. He look a careful look at it, read what all was written on it and then signed it. I was delighted to have got his autograph and have preserved it carefully. I have actually covered it with a paper so that it does not get erased. I also had a long and detailed conversation with sir about my experiences at the game, about the arrangements, the environment and discussed the areas of opportunity in Indian sport. He wanted to bring about reforms in Gujarat so that more players benefited and could represent the country. I suggested increase in financial help, in infrastructure and that there should be more shooting ranges. Sir is a great listener and I have observed the tremendous transformation that has taken place in the country, in not just the facilities but the way sports are perceived by youngsters!

Modi sir made me the Swachh Bharat brand ambassador in 2013-14. This time round I got to meet sir in Delhi. The best part about meeting him is that he always addresses you by your name. In spite of being the PM and meeting hundreds of people every day, he still remembers people by their first name. The turning point in my life came after my meeting with Modi sir in 2010. I feel fortunate that sir visited my house and he knows exactly how I have come up in life through my passion for shooting. All my struggles, challenges and difficulties - Modi sir has been a witness and because of his unrelenting support, not just me, many other sports persons have been able to successfully navigate their challenges in sports. It is a great motivating factor for any athlete to have that assurance that the government is there to support him or her. Today sports in India has reached the level of Khelo India. Sports scenario in our country has seen massive advancement. Today we have a lot many stadiums, and they now match up to the world class levels in facilities, equipment and training.

It was my dream to bring shooting to the forefront as a sport and I feel I have been successful in doing that, thanks to Modi sir’s support. Today I have my own shooting academy where I train youngsters for the country. Whatever cash awards I have won so far, I have invested in my academy. There was a time when I did not have a rifle and today, because of sir’s support, I have my own academy! TO BE CONTINUED...

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA AND SHWETA SHARMA