Story of Rurka Kalan: From revolutionary roots to birth of football club

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 26

Rurka Kalan, a village now celebrated for its sweeping environmental initiatives and sports prowess, harbours a revolutionary past rooted in defiance and community service. This village, which traces its origins to the mid-1700s, has emerged as an example of strength, unity and progress in Punjab.

Founded by Baba Bula and his four brothers of the Sandhu clan, who migrated from Sarhali in Tarn Taran district, Rurka Kalan is more than a small settlement. With a population of around 9,000, spanning 3,200 acres, this village has witnessed and contributed to significant historical movements while nurturing a strong sense of community.

The village’s foundation is deeply intertwined with the legacies of its founders. Rurka Kalan is divided into five wards or ‘Pattis,’ each named after one of the founding brothers — Bula, Rawal, Bhunder, Gau and Heta. This sense of history was further enriched by Baba Bula’s son, Bhai Sadhu, a revered saint who became a social reformer by joining the Udasi sect, founded by Baba Shri Chand ji, son of Guru Nanak Dev ji.

Bhai Sadhu’s contributions, including the establishment of the Dera Bhai Sadhu, a charitable institution that provided free kitchen services and other community support initiatives, strengthened the village’s commitment to collective welfare.

During the British colonial era, Rurka Kalan became a hotbed of revolutionary activity. The village produced 42 freedom fighters, with Baba Bachint Singh standing out for declaring Rurka Kalan an independent state in 1929. The village played a pivotal role in the Ghadar Party, hosting key conferences and drawing the attention of national leaders like Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Hardyal and Sardar Patel.

In sports, Rurka Kalan has also made its mark internationally. The village created over 25 international players, particularly in football and kabaddi. Among them were Surjit Sandhu, who was the goalkeeper for the Indian Football Team in 1982 Asian Games, and Anwar Ali, who played crucial roles in the SAFF Cup and Nehru Cup victories.

However, Rurka Kalan’s journey has not been without challenges. The dark days of Punjab militancy claimed 13 young lives and led to the mass exodus of the youth, disrupting the village’s once-thriving sports culture. The village faced a decline as many children fell into the grip of drugs and anti-social activities.

Yet, after these trials, a new era of renewal emerged. Led by Gurmangal Dass, a passionate son of the village, and supported by Dera Bhai Sadhu, Rurka Kalan began to reclaim its former glory. Gurmangal dedicated himself to the village’s development. In 2000, he founded the Youth Football Club (YFC), Rurka Kalan, which was registered in 2001. The club has since grown into a global grassroots development entity, transforming the lives of thousands of children and the youth through its initiatives.

Today, Rurka Kalan’s environmental and agricultural projects have attracted the attention across the country and the village’s transformation is nothing short of extraordinary.