In a significant stride toward preserving Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the state government is taking bold steps to revive traditional rural sports that had faded due to legal and institutional restrictions over the years. Addressing a gathering of traditional sports enthusiasts at a felicitation event, the Chief Minister declared that the state government is determined to eliminate all legal bottlenecks to promote and preserve Punjab’s ancestral sporting traditions, starting with the historic return of bullock cart races.
Speaking passionately about the cultural symbolism of bullock cart racing, Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that these events were never just about entertainment. They have long represented the spirit, vitality, and identity of rural Punjab. He recalled that such races date back centuries and even referred to the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who practiced farming with bullocks during his time in Kartarpur Sahib, underscoring the deep-rooted connection between agriculture, animals, and tradition in the state.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the ban on bullock cart races had not only disappointed thousands of traditional sports lovers but had also caused a rupture in the cultural continuity of the state. He shared that there had been growing demands from citizens across Punjab to introduce legislation that would allow these games to return in a regulated and humane manner. Responding to this sentiment, the Punjab Assembly passed the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025’ on July 11, 2025. The bill, which was adopted unanimously, now awaits the assent of the President of India, after which bullock cart races can officially resume.
Bhagwant Singh Mann clarified that the new law has been carefully crafted to safeguard animal welfare. It includes provisions for veterinary oversight, standardized safety regulations, mandatory documentation, and strict penalties in cases of negligence or cruelty. This framework ensures that traditional sports are revived without compromising the dignity or well-being of animals involved.
Further expanding the horizon of revival, the Chief Minister announced that the state government is exploring the possibilities of bringing back pigeon flying competitions, another much-loved sport rooted in Punjab’s rural legacy. Referring to the globally recognized sports festival held in Kila Raipur, often dubbed the “Mini Olympics” or “Rural Olympics,” Bhagwant Mann highlighted its historical and international importance. Since its inception in 1933, the festival has attracted attention from international media including the BBC and Discovery Channel, and has been graced by Presidents of India in the past. Mann said such events reflect the vibrancy of rural life and must be preserved for future generations.
The Chief Minister used the occasion to extend his gratitude to the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support in the state’s aggressive campaign against drug abuse. He noted that drug addiction is a societal challenge that transcends individual households or districts and affects the entire fabric of the state. Criticizing those responsible for enabling the drug menace, Mann stated that those who orchestrated the destruction of Punjab’s youth would not be spared. He reaffirmed that powerful individuals linked to drug trafficking have already been jailed, and the campaign to demolish their properties will continue with full force.
Taking aim at former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Mann questioned his recent statements about human rights in relation to a key drug trade kingpin currently lodged in Nabha jail. He asked why such empathy was absent when the youth of Punjab were falling victim to drugs. Mann accused leaders like Captain Amarinder Singh and his relatives of initiating and nurturing the drug trade during successive regimes, including his tenure in the Akali government and later as Congress Chief Minister. Mann alleged that this political patronage was a betrayal of the people’s trust.
Turning to developmental achievements, the Chief Minister said that since assuming office, canal water irrigation in Punjab has expanded from a mere 21 percent to an impressive 63 percent. He celebrated the fact that for the first time in the state’s history, water from canals and rivers is reaching tail-end villages. This, he emphasized, is a crucial milestone in sustainable agricultural development. Mann reiterated the state’s commitment to conserving its water resources and said that his government will continue to invest in initiatives that protect Punjab’s ecological future.
On the energy front, Mann proudly shared that uninterrupted electricity is being supplied to support paddy cultivation, and for the first time, farmers are voluntarily switching off their tube wells due to sufficient water supply. He also highlighted a landmark decision by the state government—the purchase of the privately-owned Govindwal Power Plant. Describing this as a reversal of the earlier trend of privatizing public assets, Mann said this historic acquisition has now been dedicated to the legacy of the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji.
The function was attended by various dignitaries including Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with senior officials and thousands of sports lovers. The event marked a renewed promise from the Punjab government to reclaim its cultural heritage while balancing modern governance, sustainability, and social justice.
This is an auto web-generated news web story.
#PunjabHeritageRevival #TraditionalSports #BullockCartRace #GuruNanakDev #BhagwantMann #PunjabAssembly #AnimalWelfare #PunjabCulture #MiniOlympics #KilaRaipur #DrugFreePunjab #PunjabAgainstDrugs #CanalIrrigation #WaterConservation #GovindwalPowerPlant #GuruAmarDasJi #PigeonFlying #RuralSportsFestival #PunjabPride #CulturalLegacy
