RAIPUR: Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur on Thursday pledged to open two centres of ‘Khelo India’ at a private university premises, Raipur.

He on a day visit to Raipur was addressing the inaugural session of the State Level Youth Festival organized by Nehru Yuva Sangathan. He said “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Memorial” will be built at India Gate in New Delhi from the soil collected from six lakh villages of the country under the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign.

Praising the performance of Indian players in the Asian Games, he said India has won 84 medals so far, which is the highest in the Asian Games so far. This is the soft power of India. He called upon the youth to make India a hub of soft power, be it in sports, music or cinema. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's dream is to make India a developed nation in 2047, the contribution of the youth of Chhattisgarh will be important in it.

Under the Khelo India centres, he said that complete training facilities for at least two sports will be provided so that excellent players can be prepared from these centres in future.

Thakur further said the need is to get rid of the thought of slavery, be proud of our heritage, bring unity and serve the country through our civic duty.

He said that earlier in history the invaders were glorified, but now through the new education policy the youth are being given information about the true history. Skill development is being implemented compulsorily from class 6 to class 10. It would help students in career selection.

He underlined the need to bring change in the society through fulfilling duties. Youth should keep away from drugs.

He recalled the effort of Indians in evacuating Indians from countries during crises, G-20 conference held in New Delhi so that the New Delhi Declaration could be issued unanimously.

Referring to the purchase of paddy in Chhattisgarh, the Union Minister said that the Government of India has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore to purchase paddy from the farmers of He urged to expand the Prime Minister's 'One District-One Product' (ODOP) scheme. He said that if the production of any district of Chhattisgarh is boosted, then not only the people of that district get employment, but there is economic progress in the state as well as the country.