Khelshala celebrated its 6th Anniversary at Majra Village of SAS Nagar Mohali district near New Chandigarh.Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister, Punjab, was the Chief Guest at this function. Dr. Cheema, who launched Khelshala in the year 2009 returned 6 years later to see the journey and progress that the organisation had made towards Mr. Bajwa’s vision of changing the lives of underprivileged youth through sports, academics and yoga.Dr. Cheema was shown a video of Khelshala’s inauguration, as well as a short video of the progress of Khelshala children compiled by Priya Chopra, a reporter from NDTV. Following this, the Chief Guest was given a tour of Khelshala’s site (Majra, Punjab) before listening to the experiences of the children at Khelshala. Having heard and witnessed the improvement and development of the children over the past 6 years, Dr. Cheema made a speech in which he was overjoyed to hear the fluency with which the children spoke in English whilst talking about their respective journeys.
He went on to acknowledge the fact that Khelshala’s first priority is education in order to improve the children’s communication skills, followed by sport, so as to attain a better overall lifestyle. He added he would help us in having more Khelshala models throughout Punjab by creating a Punjab Speaks Programme where Khelshala will be showcased and also have a meeting with the local schools to urge them to join our organisation. He concluded by saying that ‘through the Khelshala programme the children will shine in sports as well as academics and reach greater heights.’Mr. Satinder Pal Singh Bajwa, Founder of Khelshala, gave a vote of thanks to all the respected guests and honourable Chief Guest.
The celebration concluded with the annual prize distribution where the following awards: Most Promising Student, Most Outstanding Student and Most Dedicated Student; were given to the meriting students. Cheema assured Mr. Satinder Pal Singh Bajwa, founder and administrator of Khelshala that Education Department would extend full support to this institute. The Minister patted the back of Mr. Bajwa whose efforts in instituting such a sport academy have become catalyst in attracting the children towards sports. He was visually ecstatic to know that the students of this Khelshala have achieved positions in the National Level. Prominent among other who were present at the occasion included Mr. Prem Singh Kumedan, life president of Punjab Olympic Association, Jathedar Ujagar Singh Badali, former MLA, S. Ajmer Singh Kheda, SGPC member, Gaggan Sidhu, Board Member, dignitaries from the Siswan Committee.