Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The need to keep young people physically active and away from drugs took centre stage at the Khelo India Dialogue held at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, where Union Minister of State for Power and New Renewable Energy Shripad Naik said sustained engagement with the youth can play an important role in building healthier communities.
Naik participated in the programme along with Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted virtually with students and encouraged them to embrace sports and fitness.
The interaction placed emphasis on the wider role of sports beyond physical activity, highlighting fitness, healthy lifestyles and positive peer networks as important tools for building drug-free communities.
Speaking after the interaction, Naik said meaningful engagement with young people can give them the confidence and motivation to set bigger goals and make healthier choices.
“Such meaningful interactions provide immense encouragement to the youth, inspiring them to dream bigger, embrace a healthy and fit lifestyle, and channel their energy towards nation-building,” Naik said.
Naik also felicitated sporting achievers of St. Xavier’s College, praising their dedication, perseverance and accomplishments. He said their achievements demonstrated how discipline and commitment to sports can help young people excel while bringing recognition to their institution.
He expressed confidence that a healthy and empowered youth population would be crucial to shaping a stronger India.
Tanavade, meanwhile, urged students to make fitness part of their everyday routine. He stressed that maintaining a healthy body and disciplined lifestyle was essential not only for sporting success but also for achieving broader goals in life.
The Khelo India interaction comes at a time when the role of sports and youth engagement is increasingly being emphasised as part of efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and prevent young people from falling prey to substance abuse.
