Traditional sports fading away: PM

Stay fit, play games but do not forget the traditional sports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, highlighting the role of physical and mental fitness for all-round development.

In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio broadcast, he said he was overwhelmed by the response to his 'fit India' campaign.

"For me, it's heartwarming that the captain of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli has included me in his challenge... I too have accepted his challenge. I believe this is gainful and this kind of a challenge will inspire us to be fit alongwith others, as well," he said.

But at the same time he expressed concern over "fading away" of traditional sport such as 'kho khho', 'pitthu', 'lattu' and 'gulli-danda' "to the point of extinction".

"...it will be the loss of the spirit of childhood," he said and recalled a poem which talked of end of childhood and the games and the fun associated with it.

"It is crucial that today schools, neighbourhoods and youth congregations come forward and promote these games. Through crowd sourcing we can create a very large archive of our traditional games," Modi suggested.

He said the videos of these games can be shot, outlining the way to play them along with the mandatory rules and regulations.

Animation films, he suggested, can also be made so that the young generations can see and play for themselves.

On the 'Fit India' campaign, the prime minister said, "The more we play, the more we inspire the country to come out and play."