India’s star Olympian swimmer Maana Patel takes forward the school visit campaign ‘Meet The Champions’ in Goa; says it’s her ‘National Duty’

Mar 13, 2022 | Business


Taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unique initiative ‘Meet The Champions’ ahead, India’s star Olympian swimmer, Maana Patel visited Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School in Bambolim, Goa on Saturday.


During the visit, Maana interacted with students from 75 schools and spoke about the importance of Santulit Aahaar (Balanced Diet) and how it contributes in every individual’s lifestyle to remain fit and healthy. “I am really overwhelmed with the response that I got here in Goa and it was a fun interactive programme where I think could influence & educate the kids a little towards leading a healthy lifestyle and food habits,” said the Olympian backstroke swimmer.





Lauding the idea of PM about this initiative of Olympians and Paralympians visiting schools across India and interact with students on importance of balanced diet, Maana expressed, “Last year when we met our Prime Minister after the Olympic Games,  he suggested us to educate and motivate the kids across the country on ‘Santulit Aahar’ so that they are shaped with healthy food habits & fitness. And I think it’s my national duty to provide these kids whatever information I possess so that they can take up a healthy lifestyle and can be efficient in their education, sports and any fitness activities which they pursue.”





Aiming to reach out to the younger generation of the country and encourage them to choose a healthy lifestyle with healthy food habits, The ‘Meet the Champions’ initiative is jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Education.


The programme which carries exciting segments like quiz where the athlete asks a bunch of questions related to nutrition, sports & food, a sport played by the athlete with students etc. brought a lot of enthusiasm and fervour among the children. One of the students who won a Fit India jersey in the Quiz session said, “I really felt nice when I got a jersey and this is the first time I got a chance to meet an Olympian and interact with her. It’s like a dream come true for me.”



The campaign also offers a platform to the students to share their minds and ask questions to sports icons and get inspired by how they led their journey till the Olympics. “Such visits are always very impactful as young minds are quite impressionable and I am confident that the message carried through such campaigns will surely help them throughout,” said Vilas Satarkar, Principal, Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School, Goa.


This unique initiative is part of the government’s ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ that was kicked off by Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in December 2021 and then taken ahead by several Olympians and Paralympians.




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Olympian Bajrang Punia takes Prime Minister’s ‘Meet the Champions’ initiative to schools in Panipat, says children have to eat right, exercise, to make India a top nation

Dec 24, 2021 | Business


Key Highlight


  • Bajrang spoke to students about the importance of Santulit Aahaar (Balanced Diet), Fitness

  • The unique initiative is part of the government’s ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ that was kicked off by Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in Gujarat




Taking Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s unique school visit campaign ahead, Indian wrestler and Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medalist Bajrang Punia on Thursday visited Haryana’s Aarohi Model School in Panipat and met students of 75 schools from four districts.



During the visit, Bajrang spoke to students about the importance of Santulit Aahaar (Balanced Diet), Fitness and also promoted Indian traditional sports by participating in a game of Kho – Kho with the students. He even showed them some easy-to-do fitness exercises.



Lauding the idea of PM of asking Olympians and Paralympians to visit schools across India and interact with students, Bajrang said, “I am very happy that I have come to this school, it reminds me of my school days because even I come from a village in Haryana and coming back here is like coming back to school.”


Speaking to students about the importance of having the right diet and following a fit lifestyle, Bajrang said, “If you want to be mentally and physically strong and see India on the top in any field, you need to eat the right things and exercise at least for half an hour, twice a day.”



The unique initiative is part of the government’s ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ that was kicked off by Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in Gujarat earlier this month.



Bajrang stressed on the need to have homemade food that has essentials like greens, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and urged kids to stay away from junk food. “During my early days of training we were not allowed to even step out of our training center daily, so when we got one chance to step out the first thing we wanted to do was to eat tasty roadside food like chaat and tikki. But that would be once in many months, not regularly. So, you have to promise me that you won’t have junk food regularly, and you will try to give it up.”



The special school campaign, Meet the Champions, is jointly being organized by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. In the coming months, we will see our Olympic and Paralympic heroes visit various schools across the country, and interact with students in a similar fashion. During their visit, the athletes will share their own experiences, life lessons, tips on how to eat right and also give an overall inspirational boost to school children.


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