Will clear all hurdles to revive, boost Punjab's rural sports: CM
Bhagwant Singh Mann
Tuesday promised and assured that his govt will remove all legal hurdles to promote and preserve the state's glorious sports heritage.
Addressing a gathering at a function organised by sports lovers to thank Mann for paving the way for the revival of bullcok cart races in the state, the CM said, "Bullock cart races are not just a source of entertainment, but represent the rich cultural heritage of rural Punjab. Such races were held in the state since ancient times and served as a living connection to our traditions and cultural identity. Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, also practised farming with bullocks during his time in Kartarpur Sahib.
"
Mann said the ban on bullock cart races had not only disheartened lovers of traditional sports, but had also dealt a blow to the state's heritage. There was a growing clamour from Punjabis to bring a new law so that these traditional games could be brought back to life. So, on July 11, the historic 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025' was passed unanimously in the Punjab assembly, he told the gathering.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
The CM said this law will not only help preserve indigenous animal breeds of Punjab, but will also eventually lead to the revival of bullock cart races. He said the law now awaits the consent of the President of India, after which the races can be officially conducted again.
Speaking about the new legislation, Mann explained that its primary objective is to ensure safety measures for animals participating in sports, including veterinary supervision, safety standards, registration and documentation, and penalties for violations — so that no cruelty is inflicted upon voiceless animals.
The CM also announced that the govt will explore possibilities of reviving pigeon flying competitions as well. Referring to the sports festival held at Kila Raipur village, he said the games which began in 1933 are popularly known as "Mini Olympics" or "Rural Olympics". Mann said these games have received international recognition, having been covered by BBC, Discovery Channel, and others, adding that even past presidents of the country have attended these games in the past.
Thanking the public for their overwhelming support to the govt's war against drugs, the CM emphasised that drug abuse is not limited to one house or district but affects the entire state. He said many young people in Punjab have fallen prey to drugs, adding those who laid the pyres of youth are the real enemies of society and they will not be spared at any cost.
Mann claimed that those "affluent leaders" who were behind the "genocide of youth" have already been put behind bars, and the drive to demolish the houses of drug smugglers with bulldozers will continue in the coming days too.
Mann questioned former CM Capt Amarinder Singh for "showing concern" for the human rights of the "kingpin" of the entire drug trade currently lodged in Nabha jail, and asked why such concern was never shown for the people of Punjab.
On irrigation, the CM said when he assumed office, only 21% of agricultural land across the state was irrigated using canal water, but today it has risen to 63%. Uninterrupted electricity is also being provided for paddy cultivation. For the first time, farmers are switching off their tube wells due to surplus water availability, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pitch perfect: Himachal player's nat'l cricket dreams take flight
Amritsar: Amit Thakur, 32, a resident of the remote village of Makdoga in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, has been selected to represent India-B in the National Triangular Wheelchair Cricket Series. The event is to be held from August 7 to 9, 2025, at the Amma Cricket Ground in Melmaruvathur, Chennai. What makes Amit's selection particularly remarkable is that he is the only player from HP in the tournament and plays with 85% physical disability. Amit's story is one of courage and hope in the face of monumental odds. In 2018, he visited a private university where he happened to see a wheelchair cricket match. The episode gave a new direction to his life. Despite being confined to a wheelchair since childhood, he loved cricket—but he thought that the pitch was lost to him forever. "Seeing players on the field reignited that childhood dream in me. Inspired and motivated, I returned to HP with a mission to form a wheelchair cricket team in a state where no such initiative existed," he said. He began reaching out to players from various cities of HP, including Una, Kangra, Chamba, Nalagarh, and others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo His efforts culminated with Himachal's first wheelchair cricket match held in Chandigarh in 2018. Since then, he has consistently conducted training camps at Anu Ground, Hamirpur, mentoring and encouraging new players. In the wake of his efforts, the Himachal Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Team has emerged as a competitive unit in national-level tournaments, with Amit leading the team as captain in two national events. Besides cricket, he likes bowling, and his skills with the ball have earned him a spot in the prestigious India-B squad. A govt primary teacher in Chauri educational block, Amit cherishes the unconditional support offered by his parents, younger brother, and sister. For all his achievements, he is not about to rest on his laurels. His aim is to bring the HP Wheelchair Cricket Association under the official jurisdiction of the HP Cricket Association, seeking better recognition and infrastructure for future players. He is also determined to establish the state's first women's wheelchair cricket team, aiming to create equal opportunities for disabled women in sports. About the ensuing event, he said that it was being organised by the Tamil Nadu Wheelchair Cricket Association. The series will feature three elite teams—India-A, India-B, and India-C. MSID:: 123061148 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ajaraie hat-trick in NEUFC's opening win
Coach Juan Pedro Benali on the sidelines and owner John Abraham in the stands could not have been happier as NorthEast United FC began their Durand Cup title defence in style with star striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Malaysian Armed Forces FT at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday. It was the defending champions' game from the start as Ajaraie and Jithin MS kept pushing the visiting defenders' limits upfront. And it didn't take very long for them to cave in as last season's ISL top scorer pounced on a long cross to beat the goalkeeper with a perfect finish in the 23rd minute. Six minutes later, it was Jithin, who dribbled past three defenders inside the box but selflessly gave the final pass to his Moroccan strike partner to double his and the team's lead. Benali tested his bench strength and brought in the likes of new recruit and I-League top scorer Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia to replace Jithin and link up with Ajaraie. The high press paid dividends in the 70th minute when Ajaraie completed his hat-trick with another finish to a rebound inside the box. The Malaysian side earned a consolation goal towards the end of the game when Mohd Amir Faizal lofted a spectacular long effort that dipped into the goal for their first goal of the tournament. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret | Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon Paras The Florett Book Now Undo 1 Ladakh script history in draw: 1 Ladakh FC made a dream start to their national football journey by holding Nepal's seasoned side, Tribhuvan Army, to a 1-1 draw in their first match of the Durand Cup campaign in Jamshedpur on Saturday. In the 'Himalayan derby', the newcomers from Ladakh took advantage of a defensive mistake from the Nepalese team to script history through defender Siju, who headed in the first goal by a Ladakhi player in the tournament, before it was Tribhuvan Army's turn to pounce on a mistake by the 1 Ladakh goalkeeper and back four as Nirajan Dhami equalised with a calm finish just before the break. After the change of ends, the hot and humid conditions began taking a toll on the players as cramps, injuries and drink breaks slowed the pace of the match. But despite the numerous moves and attacks by Tribhuvan Army for a winner, the debutants held on to earn a draw and a point in their first national outing. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
HC stays govt notice on creation of STF police stns
1 2 Kolkata: A division bench of Calcutta High Court's Jalpaiguri circuit bench has stayed a Bengal govt gazette notification announcing the creation of two Special Task Force (STF) police stations and tying them up with two existing courts in two parts of the state. The state had set up the designated police stations — one in north Bengal and the other in south — to register FIRs and investigate offences under special acts like Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. "The entire scheme of BNSS has been sought to be frustrated, prima facie" by such a notification, said a bench of justices Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya and Uday Kumar, ordering an interim stay on it till Sept 15 or until further orders. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "Access to justice is not a fancy right. If the notification is to be given force, then a person living in a remote area will never report an offence," Justice Bhattacharyya observed. The bench, however, held that FIRs already registered with the two STF police stations and the investigation thereafter would not be affected by the stay order but their fate shall depend on the outcome of the writ petition. The state, by a notification on Jan 31, created one STF police station at the STF HQ in Salt Lake for all south Bengal districts from Murshidabad to East Midnapore, other than areas under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police, and the other at Ambikanagar in Siliguri for all north Bengal districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo By a subsequent notification on May 16, the govt tied up these police stations with the ACJM court, Bidhannagar and ACJM court, Siliguri. The additional advocate general pleaded that the executive action was well within the powers of state govt. However, the bench underscored the distinction between "local jurisdiction" of courts and determination of "local area" of police stations under BNSS. Having referred to the distinction, the bench held that the state had "picked and chosen" the local limits of police stations "at its whims". Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
