Madrasi, Sialkoti breeds favourite at pigeon show

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar, March 1

“Pigeons are intelligent than human beings, this can be gauged from the fact that the former used to deliver letters in olden days,” said Sarwan Singh Kaler, organiser of the 56th Sher-e-Punjab Ranjit Singh Pigeon Flying and Breed Show that was held here today.

He said for the past 56 years, the show was being held continuously. Sarwan said he had learn from his guru Karam Singh who first started the breed show 56 years ago in Ferozepur. And for the past 45 years, the show was being organised in Jalandhar.

Malwai, Madrasi, fancy and other some special breeds from Sialkot, Pakistan, were present in the competition today.

Kaler while explaining about Malwai breed said these pigeons know the point where they flew from and then return exactly at that point, while the Madrasi ones fly nearby and don’t go far away. While fancy breed did not fly much and were attractive to eyes only.

He said there were above 500 breeds of pigeons.

Jobandeep from Batala had come with his breed of pigeon known as ‘Sialkoti 35 bater’. While explaining the history, Jobandeep said the person who first identified the breed had first brought this pigeon for Rs 35.

He said his maternal grandfather was his inspiration.

“I think I have got this art from him. When I was young, I was fascinated by the pigeons. And slowly I learned that they need training like children. They get trained eventually,” he said.

He said this was a breed that could fly up to 6,000 ft and because of their flight capability, they were quite famous.

Kaler said over the years he had seen that the craze for this sport was increasing.

“However, I will have to see if my wards will get interested in it or not, but since I have lived my entire life with pigeons, I have a special place for them,” he said, adding that he knows how to communicate well with the pigeons.