Agra: Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 3rd Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Agra, where he underlined sports as a key driver of fitness, discipline, and national character building.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Sansad Khel Mahotsav, the Vice-President said sports shaped both physical strength and mental resilience. He expressed satisfaction at witnessing strong participation from youth athletes and local sports enthusiasts. According to him, such engagement reflected the steady growth of sports culture at the grassroots level.
Radhakrishnan shared his personal association with sports during his school and college years. He said he had competed as a college champion in table tennis and remained active in long-distance running. He also recalled his involvement in cricket and volleyball during his formative years. He added that this sporting background helped him endure demanding padyatras and a 19,000-km rathyatra.
He noted that India’s ancient traditions consistently stressed harmony between mind and body. Sports, he said, were not limited to competition alone. Instead, they acted as tools that nurtured discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and respect for rules. These values, he added, were vital for individual growth and nation-building.
Sansad Khel Mahotsav reflects growth of grassroots sports
The Vice-President commended the organisers for taking the Sansad Khel Mahotsav beyond metropolitan centres. He pointed to what he described as a structural transformation of India’s sports ecosystem over the last eleven years. He said initiatives such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement reflected a holistic vision for national development.
He further observed that India’s performance in sports had improved significantly in recent years. He highlighted increased institutional focus on women’s participation in sports. In this context, he cited initiatives such as the ASMITA Women’s League as important steps toward inclusivity.
Addressing concerns over drug abuse among youth, Radhakrishnan said sports remained one of the most effective tools to build a drug-free India. He urged young people to reject substance abuse and adopt sports as a way of life. A healthy and active youth, he said, formed the foundation of a strong nation.
Calling upon parents and teachers, the Vice-President stressed the need to encourage children to participate in sports from an early age. He described sports as an investment in character building and mental well-being. He also advocated a balanced education system that gave equal importance to academics and athletics.
The Sansad Khel Mahotsav is being held in Agra from December 21 to 25. Thousands of residents are participating in more than 33 team and individual sporting events during the five-day programme. The event was attended by Union Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyaya, and other dignitaries.
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the 3rd Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Agra and highlighted the role of sports in building discipline, character, teamwork, and national strength.
The Vice-President called upon the youth to say “No to drugs and Yes to sports,” lauded… pic.twitter.com/o2Ilex4vOB
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) December 24, 2025
