Bindra, who made history when he won the men’s 10 metres air rifle gold medal at Beijing 2008 , was on hand as the Olympism-themed curriculum, which will be integrated into the school education system in the state of Odisha, was introduced.

One of the first major IOC projects to be implemented in India - which will host an IOC Session in Mumbai in 2023 - OVEP is being developed in partnership with the Government of Odisha's Department of School and Mass Education and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT).

In its first year, the programme aims to connect with 32,000 children enrolled in 90 schools in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela and, once in full swing, it will reach around 7 million children, it is claimed.

The state of Odisha intends to take OVEP to all its schools and higher education institutions in a phased manner, thereby enabling its young population to truly take on board Olympic values.

OVEP is a practical set of resources designed by the IOC to introduce young people to the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.

The programme aims to disseminate this values-based curriculum to help children become active, healthy and responsible citizens.

The official launch involved the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik; IOC Olympic Education Commission chair Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski; IOC member Nita Ambani; Bindra, who is a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and Narinder Batra, President of the Indian Olympic Association.

"Sports is an important part of our vision for education and personality development in Odisha," said Patnaik.

"I am happy that, for the first time in India, the Olympic Values Education Programme is being launched in 90 schools in Odisha.

"This will be the beginning of new Olympic movement in the country."

Jaworski added: "The Olympic Values Education Programme has been developed and implemented around the world since 2006.

"So today, we are very happy to take these important steps in continuing to widely share this programme which is based on Olympic values and Olympic culture, with children and youth in India."

Only China has a bigger population than India.

Despite this, India has won only 10 gold medals in Olympic history - eight coming in men's hockey between 1928 and 1980.

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won India's sole gold medal at Tokyo 2020.

"We have over 250 million children in our schools, brimming with talent and potential," Ambani said.

"They are the champions of tomorrow, the future of our nation.

"Only a small number of children in the world will become Olympians, but every child can be touched by the ideals of Olympism.

"That is the mission of OVEP, and that is what makes it a huge opportunity for India.

"As we prepare to host the IOC Session 2023 in Mumbai, I look forward to further strengthening the Olympic Movement in our country."