PM Modi engaged with children on the football ground, interacting warmly and participating in the game, drawing enthusiastic reactions from those present

The post quickly gained traction online, with users praising the Prime Minister's outreach to the youth and his efforts to promote sports and fitness across the country

Football enjoys immense popularity in the northeastern region and stands as one of the area's most significant sports interests, frequently competing with or even outshining cricket in states such as Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and Meghalaya

The states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura account for only approximately 3.8 per cent of India's overall population, yet they reliably generate a significant portion of the nation's premier football talent, typically around one-third or more of the athletes in the Indian Super League (ISL) and other top leagues

PM Modi arrived in Gangtok on Monday for the closing ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's statehood

He will be inaugurating the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang, the administrative block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence at Chakung, Helen Lepcha Medical College at Socheygang, and Dentam Professional College in the Gyalshing district on Tuesday

PM Modi will inaugurate the Sikkim IFFCO Processing Plant, which is expected to provide a significant boost to agro-processing and strengthen farmer livelihoods and value chains in the state. He will also inaugurate indoor cricket facilities at Mining, Rangpo in Pakyong district to promote youth engagement and sports development.