In a unique and perhaps unprecedented gesture, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted individually with over 60 athletes who will represent India at the forthcoming Rio Olympics.
The Prime Minister offered words of encouragement to each of them. He also chatted informally with several athletes, who drew out their mobile phones for selfies with the Prime Minister.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister took to the social networking platform Twitter, to share his photographs with each player, with words of encouragement for each of them.
Several sportspersons appreciated this gesture of the Prime Minister, and responded by sharing their own selfies and photos with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has also been retweeting some of these tweets, including those of Boxer Manoj Kumar, and Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt.
Had the opportunity to meet the Indian contingent for the 2016 Olympics. Wished them the very best. @Rio2016_en pic.twitter.com/qCCwFyKysF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Spoke to @apurvichandela & conveyed my good wishes for the games. She is a women’s 10m air rifle shooter. pic.twitter.com/YTIbqWzxas
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
It was a great honor to meet PM @narendramodi Sir today. Thank you Sir for the motivation. #32DaysToGo #ReadyForRio pic.twitter.com/62vLrlGK72
— Ayonika Paul (@AyonikaPaul) July 4, 2016
The determination of shooter @AyonikaPaul is appreciable. Talked to her about the Olympics & wished her the best. pic.twitter.com/bPpO8F0cbl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Manavjit Singh Sandhu impressed me with his shooting skills. Good luck for Rio. pic.twitter.com/f8jkjiSXow
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Manika Batra will take part in table tennis. Wishing her the very best. pic.twitter.com/LxdGOZB3WL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
On the way to Manekshaw Centre for Warm send-off program arrange by our Honourable PM @narendramodi Ji pic.twitter.com/oUYQrg31pX
— Mouma Das (@MoumaDasTT) July 4, 2016
Good luck to you, @MoumaDasTT . I hope you play well at the 2016 Olympics. pic.twitter.com/DicqvFyh4t
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
He’s been there & done that before…@gaGunNarang is all set, once again for Rio. Wished him good luck. pic.twitter.com/k3fV7qPbDN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Saw a fighting spirit in shooter Gurpreet Singh & am sure he is going to give his best for the nation at the games. pic.twitter.com/gFg2FeJyZZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Jitu Rai is an accomplished shooter who is raring to go…expressed my good wishes to the bright shooter. @jiturai2014 pic.twitter.com/3FZGVCLxpR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Kheta Ram is going to take Rio by storm! Here’s wishing the marathon runner all the best. pic.twitter.com/21PNPq6FmU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Neeraj Rathi will take part in the men’s 20 km racewalk. I encouraged him to do well at the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/s3JdmSWdVd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Men’s marathon runner Gopi T is all set for the run in Rio. Told him to give his best. pic.twitter.com/fEC0sS0iF2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Kavita Raut was a gold medalist in the South Asian Games 2016. Wished this marathon runner the very best for Rio. pic.twitter.com/MQilAU3yr1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Lalita Babar (Women's 3000m Steeplechase) is enthusiastic to represent India at the Olympics. Happy to meet her. pic.twitter.com/bodnPaNokx
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Sudha Singh (Women's 3000m Steeplechase) is world number 15 & Gold medalist in Asian Games 2014. Good luck Sudha. pic.twitter.com/EQ08cu9xRR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Met Baljinder Singh. I extended my best wishes to this athlete for his Rio journey. He also competed in London 2012. pic.twitter.com/azQt2WrX6O
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Chandan Singh & me spoke about his Olympic journey & I told him to give his best. pic.twitter.com/JTRROLu7Tj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Inderjeet Singh is competing in the men’s shot-put. Told him to give his best, we are proud of him. @inderjeetshput pic.twitter.com/geX4cKuEa0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Time to meet Hon'ble Prime Minister #selfie #selfienation @unlim_likes #unlimlikes #selfies #me #love #pretty... https://t.co/TL75p97o0I
— Nitendra Singh Rawat (@NrawatSingh) July 4, 2016
Delighted to meet men’s marathon runner @NrawatSingh. Wished him good luck. pic.twitter.com/uCJUInM8zX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
With marathon runner OP Jaisha. Extended my best wishes for the 2016 Olympics. pic.twitter.com/7iqNkn61J1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
L Bombayla Devi’s archery skills are widely appreciated. I wish her the very best for the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/Om0WM15UUm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Gymnast Dipa Karmakar is all set to take the Olympics by storm. Conveyed my good wishes to her. pic.twitter.com/ipjthYWrkl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Laxmi Rani Majhi is a part of the women's archery team. Good luck to her! pic.twitter.com/it2ZSgVZ3k
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
My best wishes PV Sindhu, as you embark on this important tournament. Am sure you will give your best! pic.twitter.com/9SCxTugeLv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Atanu Das will represent India in archery. I wish him the very best. pic.twitter.com/Z13AEfqfNS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Great to meet our Honourable PM Shri @narendramodi ji..Thank you for all your support.jai hindpic.twitter.com/drBcib6cxG
— Shiva Thapa (@shivathapa) July 4, 2016
The boxing ring at Rio awaits the exceptional @shivathapa. Good luck my young friend. pic.twitter.com/8CwrnX8XoZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
What a day it is, a selfie with our @PMOIndia.#sendoff #olympians #modi #primeminister #selfie #greatfeeling #lucky pic.twitter.com/7vv8IIHghP
— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) July 4, 2016
Was great meeting you @srikidambi. All the best. pic.twitter.com/kVMMlZEbX6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Glad 2 meet our energetic #PM @narendramodi Ji in a pgm. Ur words gv us energy 2 bring laurel 4 country in #Rio pic.twitter.com/jxRpZNOCjp
— Boxer Manoj Kumar (@BoxerManojkr) July 4, 2016
Give your best at the Olympics and make India proud, @BoxerManojkr. pic.twitter.com/qGeoA5c5mt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
We know about the very talented Deepika Kumari. She participated in London 2012 & will again do so in Rio. Good luck pic.twitter.com/NdzvKJaOjp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Do well Deepika! May you play well at Rio and make us all proud. pic.twitter.com/BzSVSCL1br
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Good luck Rajani. We will cheer for you and the hockey team when you all are on the field at Rio. pic.twitter.com/YA7joALk1Q
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Sushila Chanu and I had a chat on the Olympic games and I extended my good wishes to her. pic.twitter.com/JPysIQ4Au9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
With hockey player Preeti, wishing her for 2016 games. pic.twitter.com/WpbaK89MrQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
All the best Sonika for the games in Rio. pic.twitter.com/jsqOeFmIK7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Wished hockey player Anuradha Devi the very best for the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/GuQxycVQip
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Talked about the upcoming Olympics with hockey player Namita. Wished her all the best. pic.twitter.com/M3g4CB77Sr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Meet the talented hockey player Nikki, who will represent India at the 2016 Olympics. Good luck. pic.twitter.com/aPrAtz5SVm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Good luck to you, Punam. pic.twitter.com/OL20EjCon2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
All the best Renuka! I am sure you and your team will put up a good fight at the 2016 Olympics. pic.twitter.com/7agKPa68p8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Met Sunita and spoke to her about the games and wished her best of luck. pic.twitter.com/bwWFtpZTP4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Best of luck to hockey player Jaspreet Kaur for the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/pSetJ3uCUu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Navjot Kaur, the entire nation wishes you all the best. Play well. pic.twitter.com/XBpRNKtWrO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Conveyed good wishes to Savita for the Rio games. pic.twitter.com/H6vtXSXwtH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Yogita and I had a wonderful interaction. She is looking forward to representing the nation at the games. pic.twitter.com/KJtwRYiioZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Hockey player Deep Grace and I had a great chat. Good luck to her. pic.twitter.com/fuQX88vSIu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Lilima, a hockey player is very excited about representing India in 2016 Olympics. Best of luck to her. pic.twitter.com/0nr8tC8kRU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Met Poonam Rani and expressed my good wishes to her for the games. pic.twitter.com/B9f9Bl6zcA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
All the best Vandana for the 2016 Olympic games. pic.twitter.com/ihFgbVg2qC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Discussed the upcoming Rio Olympics and wished H Lal Ruat Feli the best for the hockey games. pic.twitter.com/KhxadFkgQM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Hockey & Ritu Rani are inseparable. Best wishes to her for the games. pic.twitter.com/DCf1nP2NHo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Best of luck to hockey player Rani for the Rio games. pic.twitter.com/NTnVnYRsyA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Admirable preparation by wrestler Sakshi Malik for the Rio Olympics. My best wishes are with her. pic.twitter.com/PZjbhmNEsz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Wonderful to meet honourable Prime Minister Shri @PMOIndia. Amazing to have his support for India's Olympic team!! pic.twitter.com/vi6V8dzMWg
— Vinesh Phogat (@phogat_vinesh) July 4, 2016
Good wishes to you, @phogat_vinesh for the 2016 Rio Olympics. pic.twitter.com/tpLxTPw4a3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
It was great gesture of our Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi to wish athletes personally for #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/jY4aCxD8G9
— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) July 4, 2016
Does he need any introduction? Admired by every Indian, feared by opponents, he is prepared for Rio. @DuttYogi pic.twitter.com/1dLalk0J5x
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Good luck to my wrestler friend Hardeep Singh. My interaction with him was very positive. Best wishes to him. pic.twitter.com/pqE9lS6w2h
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Narsingh Yadav is very excited to prove his mettle at the Olympics. I am sure he is going to shine. pic.twitter.com/jbBptK4aYe
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
The mighty Sandeep Tomar is all set to wrestle it out in Rio. Do well my friend. pic.twitter.com/cbu4x12AWb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Mairaj Ahmed Khan is fully prepared for the 2016 Olympics. Best wishes to this shooter. pic.twitter.com/4fjMZ865Da
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Some athletes could not attend today...I convey my best wishes to them.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
Each athlete has worked very hard to get here. As a nation, we are proud of what they achieved & extend our best wishes for Rio. @Rio2016_en
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2016
