India Reacts as Rajyavardhan Rathore launches #5MinuteAur challenge

The Khelo India Youth Games (formerly Khelo India School Games) has officially kickstarted today -- on 9 January 2019 -- in Pune, Maharashtra. Hundreds of school and college students will be seen giving it their all and compete across 18 disciplines for glory as well as the scholarships on offer.

A unique campaign was recently launched by Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore through a video on his Twitter handle.

The honorable Sports Minister is seen playing Table Tennis with both his hands in the video. At the same time, he reminisces the time of childhood when we went out to play but could never have enough playing time.

He says in the video, "Remember the time in our childhood when we used to play and our parents would only remember our homework at that time. What was our reply to this -- Bas 5 minute aur (Just five more minutes). That time there was no one to speak for us then but we have that power in our voice now. So why don't we all come together and become the voice of all the children of the nation and say 'Khelne do' (let them play) -- let them play for 5 more minutes."

Rajyavardhan urges the viewers to make a video of themselves and use the hashtags #5minuteaur #kheloindia to tell their own stories of childhood and asking for '5 minute aur' (5 more minutes).

Here is the clip:

The former shooting champion and Olympic silver medallist tagged renowned actors and sportspersons such as Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Saina Nehwal, and Virat Kohli in the Tweet to make a video of themselves using the hashtags.

The video has already received a tremendous response. Time will tell if it can become as viral as the workout challenge Rajyavardhan sir had posted some time back.

One thing is certain that the campaign will push more parents to enable their children to play sports thereby adding fuel to the initiative and helping in the bigger picture of making India a sporting powerhouse.

Among the prominent personalities to take the initiative forward was BJP MP Jayant Sinha who posted a video of himself playing tennis and further tagged MS Dhoni and other prominent politicians in the Tweet.

Another interesting Tweet was of a parent posting a video of her son showcasing his football skills and what he can do when given "5 minute aur."

Here are the best Twitter reactions so far from the #5MinuteAur challenge:

---