Lakhan Majra village holds candle march in Hardik's memory

What was once a place of dreams turned into a ground of mourning on Sunday evening as residents of Lakhan Majra village gathered to honour the memory of national basketball player Hardik Rathee (16), who lost his life on Tuesday when a basketball pole collapsed on him during practice.

A large number of villagers, including young athletes and elders, held a candle march through the narrow lanes of the village. The budding players, many of whom trained alongside Hardik, chanted, “Hardik Rathee amar rahe”.

The march culminated at the basketball court where Hardik had sharpened his skills every day with the hope of soaring higher in the sport. Candles flickered against the cold floor, and his photographs were placed at the spot where tragedy struck.

“None of us ever imagined that the court where he chased his dream of becoming an international player would one day become the place where we will light candles for him,” said a player.

Harsh, another player, said, “We watched Hardik practice tirelessly. Now, seeing it turn into a place of a tribute meeting breaks our hearts, but it also inspires us to fight for safer facilities for all athletes.”

For the villagers, the demand for an indoor stadium in Hardik’s name is not just a plea—it is an attempt to preserve his dream and ensure that no young athlete ever meets a similar fate. “Haryana is known as the land of players, and that is why this is our foremost demand from the state government,” said Hardik's father Sandeep Rathee.