Etala Tells Youth to Pick Sports over Mobiles, Drugs

 Karimnagar: Sports are the most effective way to keep the younger generation healthy and away from harmful habits such as drug addiction, said Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajendar after attending the State-level Masters Athletics Championship held in Karimnagar on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, the MP said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was giving significant importance to sports through the Khelo India programme. He said the Prime Minister had instructed all MPs to encourage athletes and promote sports in their respective constituencies. As a result of this focus, he noted, India has shown marked improvement in international events such as the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. The objective, he said, was to build a healthy and strong population by nurturing the country’s human resources.

Rajendar lauded the fitness and enthusiasm of senior athletes and honoured Niranjan Reddy, a 95-year-old athlete from Nalgonda, who regularly travels to participate in competitions. He also cited 91-year-old Lakshma Reddy as an inspiration, observing that senior citizens who engage in daily physical activity remain as energetic as the youth.

Expressing concern over the lifestyle habits of children and young people, the MP advised them not to spend excessive time on mobile phones and computers. He said sports not only promote physical fitness but also provide mental well-being and help people bond socially. Referring to the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign, he said sports could play a crucial role in preventing the spread of drug and ganja abuse, which is affecting rural youth.

Stressing that good health was fundamental to a meaningful life, Rajendar urged parents to motivate their children to play outdoor games to build character and avoid bad habits. He congratulated all the participants and reminded them that in sports, both victory and defeat should be accepted with the same positive spirit.