Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with the medal winners of the recently concluded 18th Asian Games. He congratulated them for their exemplary performance and for raising India’s stature in the best ever medal tally at the Asian Games.

During the interaction, Mr Modi expressed happiness on seeing young talent rising from small towns, rural areas and from the poor background.

The Prime Minister urged the sportspersons to strive harder. He added that the biggest challenge will start now and that the winners should never lose their goal of being in the Olympic Games podium.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore,  said that the Prime Minister’s vision and the government’s initiatives played a vital role in the improved medal tally and in inspiring young sportspersons.

India garnered a record medal haul at the 18th Asian Games in  Indonesia by bagging 69 medals, beating the previous best of 65 medals won at Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010.