Neeraj Chopra’s churma highlights athletes’ interaction with PM Modi

New Delhi, July 5

“Neeraj your churma has not reached yet?” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s footage of the interaction with reigning Olympics champion Neeraj Chopra is doing quite a few rounds on social media.

The footage, cut out from the interaction with the Paris-bound Indian athletes was held on Thursday, and released today and captures PM Modi in a light mood, reminding Neeraj Chopra of the promise he made the last time they met.

“Sir, churma leke zaroor ayenge is baar. Pichli baar wo Dilli mein cheeni wala churma tha. Ab to Haryana ka desi ghee (Sir, I will bring churma this time definitely. Last time, it was a made-in-Delhi churma. This time it will be made from ghee from Haryana),” Neeraj said in his reply.

The interaction saw PM Modi speaking to the athletes, some of whom were present at the 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence, while many others including Neeraj joined through video conferencing from their training bases across the world.

The interaction started with the PM asking the first-time Olympians to speak their minds. “I want to hear from those who are going to the Olympics for the first time. I want to hear from them about what is going on in their heads,” PM asked.

Haryana’s rifle shooter Ramita Jindal was the first one to respond. “I am Ramita Jindal. I will be participating in air rifle. I am very excited because ever since I started shooting it was a dream to be at the Olympics. I am also motivated to do well,” Ramita said.

Wrestlers Reetika Hooda and Antim Panghal were the next to speak. “I am Reetika and I am from Rohtak. I will take part for the first time and I am also very excited. I will try to perform better on the mat as the entire country would be watching and I know a lot of people are praying for us and I will give my 100 percent,” she said.

Talking with hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, the PM touched on the pressure which the Indian team has to deal with.

“I think hockey players face the most pressure as everyone believes this is our sport and how we have slid behind others. Everyone in our country thinks ‘how can we lose as this is our sport. My wishes are with you and I believe you will return with your goals, the PM reckoned.