Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 125th episode of his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, highlighted the inspirational journey of Odisha’s canoeing athlete Rasmita Sahoo, who has emerged as one of India’s brightest young talents in water sports.

During the segment on the recently concluded ‘Khelo India Water Sports Festival,’ the Prime Minister interacted with Rasmita, who hails from a remote village in Odisha and belongs to the fisherman community and has carved a niche for herself in the demanding discipline of canoeing. Sharing her story, Rasmita recalled how she first came across a canoe on a river near her village while swimming with friends. “There were no sports facilities in my village. One day I saw a canoeing-kayaking boat at Jagatpur near Cuttack city and was instantly drawn to it. I told my father that I wanted to pursue this sport, and that’s how my journey began,” she said.

Since taking up canoeing in 2017, Rasmita has established herself as a formidable competitor on the national stage. “So far, I have participated in multiple National Championships and National Games, winning 41 medals — 13 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze,” she told the Prime Minister.

PM Modi lauded her determination, describing young athletes like Rasmita as “the driving force behind India’s sporting renaissance,” and credited their passion and perseverance for scripting a “new chapter in the country’s sports journey.” Canoeing — a relatively lesser-known sport in India — demands exceptional strength, balance, and coordination. Athletes paddle slender boats with a single-bladed paddle, competing either in sprint events on calm waters or in slalom events, where they navigate challenging river rapids.

In India, canoeing and kayaking are governed by the Indian Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ICKA). While still at a nascent stage compared to mainstream sports, it is steadily gaining popularity, especially in water-rich states such as Kerala, Odisha, Assam, and Maharashtra.