Wrestling, kabaddi offer hope against drug menace

Alarmed by the rising number of addicts and rampant consumption of contraband in Rampura village, a handful of residents have taken it upon themselves to steer youngsters away from the menace of addiction.

Local wrestlers Navdeep Nav and Angrej Bhalwan are training young people in wrestling, helping them to channel their energy in a positive direction. They also organise annual wrestling and Kabaddi competitions to attract more youth towards sport.

Sarbjit Singh, a villager, said Rampura had suffered due to its proximity to Gumanpura, notorious for producing illicit and chemical-based liquor. He added that more than 20 young men from Rampura had lost their lives to addiction in recent years, which prompted them to initiate efforts to instil positivity among the youth.

To create a safe space, they persuaded a farmer to allow them to use his uncultivated land for play and exercise. Ramesh Rampura, a native, said they pooled around Rs 6,000 to clean the land and convert it into a usable ground.

He lamented that the village lacks a stadium or sports ground, increasing the risk of youngsters falling into destructive habits. For the past seven months, they have been training youth in Kabaddi, conducting exercises, and even organising marathons.

Recently, they also secured a yoga trainer under the CM Di Yogshala programme, with support from the district administration.