“Soldiers and players carry the national flag. They may have come from any corner of the country, they do not belong to any caste or language but to the country. The citizens of the country express gratitude towards such soldiers and players. Soldiers and players are symbols of Bharat’s unity, honour and pride,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale ji in the ‘Jijamata Samman’ ceremony organised by Krida Bharati on January 19, 2025 in Bhopal.
The ceremony was organised on January 19 at Ravindra Bhavan, Bhopal. Mothers of six players were honoured. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang, National Executive President of Krida Bharti and Madhya Pradesh Government Minister Chetan Kashyap were present as guests in the ceremony.
Hosabale Ji said that it is very important to recognise and honour the hard work and struggle of those who prepared the medal winning players. We know that Jijamata made her son Chhatrapati in adverse circumstances. Jijamata was not only a great mother but also a skilled administrator. When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was imprisoned by Aurangzeb, Jijamata managed the state efficiently. Jijamata had resolved that her son would not work for anyone. He would become a ruler and serve the society. Jijamata is an example of determination. We see all these qualities in the life of Shivaji Maharaj. Jijamata told Shivaji Maharaj the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata since his childhood and told him how he has to become. He said that it is not beneficial for only a few sports to progress, all sports should progress. Incidentally, I would like to mention that today the first Kho-Kho World Cup is being held in Delhi.
He said that family is the centre of all kinds of virtues. One of the aims of Krida Bharati is to create such an environment in our families in which the youth gets good values. In today’s time, it is being noticed that bad habits are approaching the lives of the youth. Mobile phones have increased their restlessness. If the environment of the family is positive, then the country will get cultured youth.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav congratulated the revered mothers and appreciated their contribution. He said that parents play an important role in the success of any player. Giving the example of Shri Krishna, he said that for the country and dharma, mother Devaki kept courage till the murder of her 7 sons and gave birth to Kanha as her eighth child.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that this programme of Krida Bharati is inspiring which establishes the importance of the contribution of the mothers of the players. Olympic gold and silver medalist, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s mother Saroj Devi (Neeraj Chopra’s uncle Bhim Singh received this award). Others who received this award included Bharat’s first female gymnast Dipa Karamkar’s mother Gauri Karamkar; Olympic boxing player Lovlina Borgohain’s mother Moni Devi; Bharatiya hockey team’s former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s mother Usha Kumari. The winning students were also awarded in the ‘Krida Gyan Competition-2024’ organised at the all India level by Krida Bharti. Among them, the first prize of Rs 1 lakh was given to Parth Prajapat and the second prize of Rs 50,000 each was given to Dev Karelia and Abhishek Kumar. More than one lakh students participated in the competition.
