On August 29, the National Sports Day in India is celebrated. It is a special occasion to make the nation more educated towards the importance of being fit and healthy, besides to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The National Sports Day is celebrated across the country.
As a nation, India have taken leaps and bounds to excel in the field of sports. It isn’t just cricket anymore that defines the country. Neither it is the past glory of hockey. Sports has become an integral part of the country and athletes from various fields and segments have taken the scene to another level.
Today, on National Sports Day we pledge to strength Fit India Movement! https://t.co/0BmpLreJPP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2019
With the next Summer Olympics set to be held in 2020 in Tokyo, the countdown for India has begun. One will hope to witness some mega feats in the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza. India are expected to bring laurels in several events ranging from shooting, badminton, wrestling, weightlifting to name a few.
Nothing will be easy. The main aspect is that India’s trajectory has shifted to track and field events as well. Golden girls Dutee Chand and Hima Das are the future and the two have made rapid strides in a quick time. In gymnastics, Dipa Karmakar is there as well. To see so many women coming forward and inspiring millions is a proud moment.
On this day and perhaps everyday, we also should celebrate the achievements and success of the para athletes. They deserve all the love and treatment just like everyone else.
Therefore, having a National Sports Day is so crucial. The need of the hour for youngsters in this nation is to stay fit and healthy. That’s the awareness which is spread. Besides this, the importance of sports and daily activities in every individual’s life is also a vital aspect.
In this article we talk about the National Sports Day and its significance and the rise of several athletes with the 2020 Olympics in mind.
What happens on the National Sports Day?
Congratulations to @GurpreetGK, @poojadhanda0007 & @BajrangPunia for honours on the national sports awards list.
Glad to have you part of the @bengalurufc and @jswsports family and look forward to cheer you on as you bring on more laurels to our country #ArjunaAward #KhelRatna pic.twitter.com/VwPZqtSp3B
— JSW Group (@TheJSWGroup) August 20, 2019
On this day, the President of India honours eminent sports personalities with major awards including Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Award. This is an eventful day for the rising athletes to set the standards and go for these prestigious awards.
In 2019, two athletes have been nominated by the Selection Committee for sports awards in highest sporting honour in the country – Khel Ratna. Wrestler Bajrang Punia and Rio Paralympics silver medalist Deepa Malik have been nominated for the award. Khel Ratna is awarded to athletes for spectacular and outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years.
Meanwhile, cricketers Ravindra Jadeja and Poonam Yadav are on the list of Arjuna awardees among 17 others.
The significance of the day and the influence of Dhyanchand
August 29 is the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who is regarded as nation’s greatest hockey player of all time. Popularly known as “The Wizard” for his magical touch, superb control, creativity and extraordinary goal-scoring feats, Chand was instrumental in taking Indian hockey to greater heights under his extraordinary leadership.
Why such a day is needed in a nation like India?
It isn’t just about spreading awareness on the importance of sports. The day also highlights the achievements and contributions of Chand to India’s rich sports history and culture.
The President of the nation confers National Sports Awards to honour sportsmen who have achieved laurels in their careers and enhanced country’s pride all over the world. The Indian government over the years has launched many schemes related to sports on this day including the Khelo India scheme in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The PM has launched a nation-wide Fit India Movement on National Sports Day today. Meanwhile, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju has said the government is receiving tremendous support for the initiative and state governments as well as corporates are doing everything possible to make it a grand success.
“Tremendous supports are coming from all sections of the society to participate in the Fit India Movement to be launched by Narendra Modi ji on 29th August at 10 am. Chief Ministers, Corporates and many icons are taking amazing steps to make the programme a grand success,” he said.
The government has also formed 28-member committee under Rijiju, which includes government representatives from sports, secondary education, Ayush, youth affairs, members of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), national sports bodies, private bodies and fitness promoters like actors Shilpa Shetty and Milind Soman.
It is crucial that awareness across the nation from urban to rural areas can be reached. We need a fitter nation and the involvement of the public is the most vital part.
India need to build upon the rise of athletes
Be it Olympics, Paralympics or other world events, the need of the hour is to build upon the rise of several athletes across the nation. It is great to see so many talents coming forward and wanting to take sports as career paths. Sports unites us all and this is a major plus.
We also need the government to support these athletes and take the game forward. One should get every bit of recognition and praise for their efforts.
Recently, in tennis India’s Sumit Nagal qualified for the US Open 2019 main round. He even took a set off Roger Federer. These are moments we are wanting to witness often. Not to forget the continuous success of a top wrestler like Bajrang Punia. Or for that matter the excellent 2019 that has basked upon Dutee in the sprint section.
India’s badminton queen PV Sindhu won the gold at the BWF World Championships. She has been a role model. Also, though cricket still rules the country, other sports have come forward and have been motivating the general youth. This is such a strong change.
We also need to credit the government for taking all necessary steps to promote sports and fitness. Remember, a fit India is a happy India.