Punjab Unveils Bold Plan: Sports Grounds in Every Village to Shield Youth from Drugs
Rural Development Minister Sond Tours Rupnagar, Signals Robust Push for Sports and Education
‘Punjab Sikhiya Kranti’ to Elevate State’s Educational Landscape, Says Manish Sisodia
Chandigarh/Rupnagar, April 8, 2025 –
In a transformative move to steer Punjab’s youth away from the clutches of drug addiction, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, alongside former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, inspected schools and sports facilities across Rupnagar district on Tuesday. The duo visited villages including Chairian, Bahrampur, Chandpur, Dakala, Lohgarh Phidde, and the revamped government primary school and sports ground in Bahrampur Chaklan, spotlighting a groundbreaking statewide initiative.
A Sporting Revolution Takes Root
Minister Sond announced an ambitious Punjab Government plan to build sports grounds in all 13,000 villages, aiming to foster a vibrant sports culture and safeguard the younger generation from social ills. “Sports are our shield against drug addiction,” Sond declared, unveiling a ₹979 crore budget under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership. Tailored to local preferences, these facilities will support football, cricket, hockey, athletics, volleyball, handball, and more, with village gyms added to promote fitness.
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Sond underscored the dual benefit of the initiative: engaging youth constructively while honoring sporting talent. “Athletes who shine at national and international levels will receive cash rewards and job reservations, securing their futures,” he said, emphasizing the government’s holistic vision.
Education Gets a Facelift
At the Government Primary School in Chaklan, Manish Sisodia marveled at its stunning turnaround. “Three years ago, this school was crumbling—no benches, no clean water, no toilets,” he recalled. “Today, it’s a model of excellence with modern benches, a sports ground, high-tech labs, a library, and secure walls.” Sisodia credited the “Punjab Sikhiya Kranti” initiative for driving this change, vowing to position Punjab as an educational powerhouse for a prosperous tomorrow.
On-the-Ground Leadership
The Rupnagar tour saw Minister Sond and Sisodia joined by key figures, including MLA Sri Chamkaur Sahib Dr. Charanjit Singh, MLA Rupnagar Advocate Dinesh Chadha, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Chandarjyoti Singh, and District Planning Board Chairman Harminder Singh Dhahe. Their presence underscored the government’s united front in this dual crusade for sports and education.
A Vision for Punjab’s Future
The twin pillars of sports infrastructure and educational reform signal a bold new era for Punjab. With sports grounds set to dot every village and schools undergoing a renaissance, the state is poised to empower its youth like never before—blending physical vitality with academic excellence to forge a drug-free, thriving generation.
