Chandigarh/Kila Raipur (Ludhiana), February 18
The second day of the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics witnessed an unprecedented surge of enthusiasm, with thousands of people, particularly the youth, converging at the historic stadium to celebrate Punjab’s rich rural sporting heritage.
The second day’s events captured the imagination of attendees as the historic bullock cart races—revived after a 12-year hiatus—took center stage. The thunderous traditional races elicited roaring cheers from the packed stands in the stadium. The Spectators enthusiastically supported not only the bullock cart races but also a vibrant array of traditional sports and athletic competitions, including, Hockey matches, Kabaddi bouts, Shot put throws, 100-meter sprints, Tug of War contests, Long Jump events, Bazigar show and several other rural athletic disciplines. Families, farmers, youth groups, and visitors from across the state and beyond filled the venue, creating an electric atmosphere of unity, excitement, and community spirit.
Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan addressed the enthusiastic crowd, hailing the revival of bullock cart races as a historic milestone. This achievement was made possible through thoughtful legislative reforms and robust animal welfare safeguards enshrined in the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025. He emphasized that the return of this iconic sport not only preserves Punjab’s rich cultural heritage but also ignites fresh enthusiasm among the younger generation for traditional rural games. Expressing optimism, he hoped these events would draw youth back to the grounds, steering them away from drugs and excessive mobile use. He noted the deep emotional bond people share with these games, which help keep Punjab’s culture and heritage alive and intact. It is our collective responsibility, he stressed, to reconnect the youth with these traditions—especially at a time when reel culture and digital distractions have distanced them from authentic Punjabi roots.
Earlier in the day, State Media Head, Baltej Singh Pannu commended the organizers and the massive turnout of spectators for turning the festival into a resounding success. He highlighted how the resumption of bullock cart races has infused a fresh festive spirit across Punjab, restoring the glory of the Rural Olympics as a symbol of rural vigor and cultural identity. “Under CM Mann’s vision, we have overcome past challenges to bring back this iconic event with proper safeguards, and seeing the joy on people’s faces today shows it’s worth every effort.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amarjit Bains, SDMs Jasleen Kaur Bhullar, Upinderjit Kaur Brar, Assistant Commissioner Dr Pragati, District Sports Officer Kuldeep Chugh and among others.
