Munish Sood
Mandi
Vallabh Government College, Mandi, will host a national-level ‘Khelo India Samvaad – Khel Ki Baat PM Ke Saath’ programme on August 27, providing students an opportunity to engage in discussions on India’s sporting future, youth development and nation-building.
The programme is being organised by MY Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, as part of the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations. Nearly 1,600 selected educational institutions across the country are participating in the initiative, with two institutions from Mandi district selected to host the programme.
The event will feature a live virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be screened at participating institutions. This will be followed by local-level Khelo India Samvaad and Yuva Samvaad sessions, where students will deliberate on key issues concerning the growth of sports and youth participation.
The discussions at Vallabh Government College will cover a broad range of subjects, including strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem, identifying and nurturing young talent, preparations for the 2036 Olympics, youth leadership, the vision of Viksit Bharat and creating a drug-free youth population.
Santosh Kumar Kapoor, who has had a long and distinguished association with sports, will be the chief guest. He represented his college in hockey, football, cricket and athletics and represented Mandi district at the state level in hockey and athletics. He also served as a technical official during the 1982 Asian Games.
Kapoor served as Secretary of the Mandi Cricket Association for 25 years, from 1995 to 2020, and was also associated with the organisation of the Deodhar Cricket Trophy encounter between the South and West Zones in Mandi.
The interaction is intended to give students a platform to put forward their ideas and suggestions on developing a stronger sports culture and creating greater opportunities for young athletes.
The programme is being organised under the guidance of college Principal Dr Sanjeev Kumar, with Dr Deepali Ashok, NSS Programme Officer and Nodal Officer, MY Bharat, coordinating the event.
The programme will conclude with the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ pledge, followed by the National Anthem. Media representatives have been invited to cover the event.
