Defeating drugs: Dancing their way to fitness

The Covid-19 pandemic is bad enough in the sense that reports have surfaced about resurgence in the use of drugs, particularly opium and related substances, in the wake of widespread unemployment and the traumatic isolation created by the lockdowns. The Red Cross de-addiction centre is full to the brim with addicts trying to come to terms with the reality. The centre’s Project Director, Romesh Mahajan, has asked a former addict and dancer Dolly Sharma to impart dance therapy to the youngsters. Sharma has already shrugged the habit and is now fully rehabilitated and happily married. “With the lockdowns and idling of a large chunk of the workforce, frustrated youth are turning to drugs for succour. Surveys have revealed how serious the psychological and emotional impact of the Coronavirus pandemic is for youngsters. I salute Dolly Sharma for leading the way with her dance classes which are an important part of rehabilitation. The real name for this manner of treatment is ‘Dance Movement Therapy,” said Mahajan. Dolly, who takes classes twice a day at the Centre on Babbehali road, says: “The mental and emotional benefits of dance movements and footwork are plentiful. The chemicals that are released into the body-endorphins-make you feel better also help you concentrate and sleep better, have more energy and can help you become more resilient when faced with mental and emotional challenges of life. Actually, programmes range from traditional dances to yoga. The benefits include stress reduction and mood management,” she said. Mahajan admits that the number of addicts coming for treatment have shown a manifold increase ever since the first of the series of lockdowns kicked in last year. In the same breath, he also admits that addicts have taken a liking to the dance therapy classes.

The early bird catches the worm

Qadian MLA Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa knows for sure the meaning of the adage ‘the early bird catches the worm.’ Reason enough why he has started working among his constituents in his assembly seat. For starters, he has roped in his sons, Arjun Partap Singh, who is also a member of the Gurdaspur Zila Parishad and Kanwar Partap Singh to distribute Covid related material across the length and breadth of his constituency. The family has converted school vans into mini ambulances. ‘Fateh Kits’, which are given to people who test positive, are also being distributed but with a difference. These kits, containing masks, sanitisers, medicines and related material, come under the name of ‘Satbachan Welfare Foundation’ which is a charitable organisation floated by the Bajwas. Arjun, who is also into film acting is maintaining his distance from the glossy studios of Mumbai and has pitched tent in Qadian. Five-member teams of ‘Covid Warriors’ have been formed with each team manning one village. These warriors guide villagers on how and where to get vaccinated. The erudite Arjun has this to say: “We have a chance to do something extraordinary. As we head out of this pandemic we can change the world. We can create a world of love. A world where we are kind enough to each other. A world where we are kind no matter what class, colour, creed, race, sexual orientation and religion we belong to. Let love and kindness should be our roadmap if we have to triumph over the virus.” Words of wisdom, indeed! As for Fateh, he says he fails to understand why people are not getting vaccinated. “Inoculation is the key to survival in these dreaded times. We can survive this together by staying apart. That is the best approach to this pandemic,” said the MLA as he gets ready sitting in a mini ambulance ready to go to yet another village.

Research institute: Sugary days are here again

Cabinet Minister and local MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is the moving spirit behind the establishment of the Rs45 crore Guru Nanak Dev Sugarcane Research and Development Institute. Construction work has already started and will end in May next year. The project is coming up on 100 acres of panchayat land in Kalanaur village. Once completed, farmers will have more varieties of sugarcane seeds to choose from. IAS officer Puneet Goel has been appointed the project’s member secretary while Shivraj Pal Singh Dhaliwal, general manager of the Ajnala sugar mill, is the institute’s first Director. The institute is being modelled after the famed Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), Pune. For every project, money is a big factor. In this case, Randhawa says he had a difficult time convincing the state government about the need for such a project in Gurdaspur district which is a sugarcane rich area. “However, I never lost heart and finally I got Rs 45 crore. It is a good start, I think so,” he said. The minister for sure knows that a good start is half the job done! — Ravi Dhaliwal