Baba Kailakh Nath Management Committee today organized an annual wrestling competition (Dangal) near the Dev Sthan Baba Kailakh Nath at Bantalab. The prominent wrestlers from adjoining States like Punjab and Haryana besides Jammu and Kashmir participated in the competition.Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma was chief guest and local MLA Mr. Bharat Bushan was guest of honor on the occasion.The management in collaboration with the local people organizes this annual event in memory of famous saint Baba Kailakh Nath, who is also Kul Devta for various communities/biradhries. His shrine located at Ban Talab is a Center of attraction for people of all religions and communities and hugely thronged by devotees regularly.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister hailed the management for promoting sports and social activities, adding that such events bring various sections of the society close and help in maintaining communal harmony, which is need of the hour. He stressed upon the management to continue strive for uniting the society and spread the messages of saints and social reformers to eradicate several evils from the society.
Stressing the need for promoting traditional sports like wrestling, Kabaddi and other rural sports to engage the youth towards games, the Minister said this would help in preventing them in indulging in drugs and other anti-social activities which are widely spreading in younger generation. “We all should make collective efforts to save our younger generation from the drug addiction and inculcate them sense of responsibility towards the society and rich Indian culture and ethics which are gradually degrading. He said that great Saints and our forefathers have given a message of living with peace and promoting mutual brotherhood which are the basic principles of humanity”, said the Minister.The Minister also interacted with the wrestlers and extended his good wishes for the competition. He asked them to work hard to win the games and maintain the high spirits of the sports.
The MLA Mr. Bharat Bushan welcomed all participants on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of the Kailakh Dangal Committee for organizing this impressive event. He hoped that the event will go a long way in creating interest of sports in rural youth. He distributed prizes amongst the wrestlerts.The first bout which carried a cash prize of Rs. 1.11 lakh was contested between Jugnu Pahalwan of Amritsar and Gani Pahalwan of Malerkotla, Punjab. The bout was won by Gani Pahalwan. The second bout which carried a cash prize of Rs. 80,000 was fought between Benia of J&K with Bupinder Pahalwan from Ajnala (Punjab) remained un-decided and prize was shared between the two. The competition was held under the Wrestling Association of India under the supervision of Mr. Dushyant Sharma, who is part of the National Body.A large number of Sarpanchs, Panchs and sports lover from different parts of Jammu pision gathered to witness this annual event.