PM Modi Applauds PT Usha's Nomination to the Rajya Sabha and the Role of Athletes in Mentoring Young Athletes

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 7, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital Desk: On
Wednesday, former Olympic track and field athlete PT Usha received
congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being nominated to the
Rajya Sabha, the upper House of the Indian Parliament. PM Modi praised her work
over the past few years to mentor aspiring athletes and called her an example
for every Indian.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"> 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">"Every Indian can
find inspiration from the wonderful PT Usha Ji. Her sporting successes are well
recognised, but her work as a mentor to aspiring athletes over the past few years
is also deserving of praise. Thank you for your nomination to the Rajya Sabha,
@PTUshaOfficial "Tweeted the prime minister.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"> 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">Every Indian can find
inspiration from the wonderful PT Usha Ji. Her sporting successes are well
recognised, but her work as a mentor to aspiring athletes over the past few
years is also deserving of praise. Congratulations on being selected for the
Rajya Sabha, she deserves it, said PM Narendra Modi 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"> 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">The Presidential Quota has
proposed the 58-year-old for the Rajya Sabha. Ilaiyaraaja, Veerendra Heggade,
and KV Vijayendra Prasad are the other candidates who have been nominated as of
today. They're all from states in South India.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">Results achieved by PT
Usha

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"> 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">One of India's most
well-known athletes, PT Usha was raised in a tiny town in the Kozhikode area of
Kerala. Often referred to as the Payyoli Express, she has competed
internationally for her nation and brought home medals in competitions like the
Asian Games, Asian Championships, and the World Junior Invitational Meet.
Throughout her career, she also established and shattered a number of records
in Asia.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black"> 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">Usha came close to winning
India's first media event in track and field at the 1984 Olympics, finishing
fourth in the women's 400-meter hurdles division and the mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black">bronze medal by 1/100 second.

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She founded the Usha School of Athletics when she retired to give
gifted children access to top-notch facilities. She has received the Padma Shri
and the Arjuna awards.