Balachaur, August 20:- The torch march for 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' season-4, 2026' was given a grand and warm welcome on Thursday upon its arrival in Balachaur in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. The torch, which arrived from neighbouring district Rupnagar, was welcomed by prominent personalities including Balachaur MLA Santosh Kataria.
SDM Sunil Phogat, District Sports Officer Vandana Chauhan and MLA Santosh Kataria highlighted the state government's inclusive vision for youth empowerment and further strengthening the sports infrastructure. He said, "The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has made continuous efforts to connect the youth with sports. With this, the boundless energy of the youth is being diverted towards sports and keeping them away from drugs."
Emphasizing on the government's grassroots initiatives, MLA Santosh Kataria said that the government is actively working to set up state-of-the-art playgrounds in every village of the state. He stressed, "By taking the sports infrastructure right down to the village level, the government is ensuring that every child, irrespective of their background, gets an equal opportunity to hone their sporting talent and make a name for themselves at the national and international levels."
Highlighting the profound personal impact of physical activity, the MLA stressed on the vital role of sports in all-round development. Kataria said, "Sports are not just about winning medals; they are fundamental in instilling a strong sense of character, discipline, determination and sportsmanship in an individual's life."
To inspire the local youth, national and international level athletes including international athlete Anamika, volleyball players Naveen, Manpreet Singh, Manjinder Singh, state level athlete Anakshi and badminton coach Raman participated in the torch march.
After a night halt in SBS Nagar, the torch will leave for Jalandhar on August 21.