Karnataka: PM Modi inaugurates National Youth Festival in Hubballi

Modi was standing on the running board of his moving car and waving at an enthusiastic crowd that lined up both sides of the road as he was heading for the Railway Sports Ground from the airport when the incident happened.

The prime minister extended his hand to accept the garland but could not reach out to the boy. Security officials accompanying him on the road got hold of the garland and handed it over to Modi who put it inside the car.

The police and traffic officials on duty immediately pulled the boy back and whisked him him away.

"All people in the enclosure from where that boy came were properly frisked by SPG, and the whole area was properly sanitised by security agencies. It is not a serious lapse," sources told ANI.

The 26th edition of the National Youth Festival, which will be held till January 16 at Hubballi-Dharwad, is being organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka.

The inaugural event was held at the Railway Sports Ground here, was attended by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Anurag Singh Thakur, among others.

Thakur offered his remarks at the festival and encouraged the youth to play a "significant" role in nation building in the amrit kaal.

Earlier on his way to the venue, the prime minister held a road show by greeting a large number of people, who had gathered on both sides of the route, and showered flower petals as his cavalcade passed through the stretch slowly.

Standing on the 'running board' of his car, Modi greeted and waved at the crowd, many of whom were seen chanting 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans.

According to officials, the festival is held every year to provide exposure to talented youth at the national level, along with galvanising them towards nation building.

It brings diverse cultures from all parts of the country on a common platform and unites the participants in the spirit of ’Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,' they said, adding that the theme of this year’s festival is 'Viksit Yuva — Viksit Bharat.'

During the 5-day event, over 7,500 youth delegates from all over India, recognised leaders in their own field of activity, will get together to engage in different learning activities.