The two days Bharateeya Paramparik Kreeda Mahotsava organized jointly by the Central University of Odisha and Kreeda Bharati began on 21st April 2023. The inaugural session of this programme was held at the main Sports Ground of CUO. The Kreeda Mahotsava was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar. The University organized an event of this scale for the first time. The Hon’ble Chancellor of the Central University of Odisha, Prof. P.V. Krishna Bhatta, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi, presided over the Programme. The Programme commenced with the inaugural address by the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Odisha, where he welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the importance of “Paramparik Kreeda” while encouraging the students to participate in all kinds of sports and yoga. Traditional sports, which are not followed by the new generation nowadays, should always be encouraged, he said.
Dr. Subash Sarkar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Education, Govt. of India delivered the Chief Guest address chanting with a shloka from Bhagwat Geeta, explaining, “one who attained purity of mind through the prolonged practice of yoga is in such knowledge with the heart in due course of time”. He also mentioned the significance of sports and yoga in our Vedas and Upanishads as well as in Ramayana, Mahabharata and Natyashastra. Yoga strengthens our body as well as mind. To achieve our personal development we should always indulge in sports. He encouraged children to practice yoga for at least 30 minutes a day. He urged the students of CUO to be sports ambassadors for the people of India to practice yoga. Various sports schemes implemented by the Government of India to encourage sports in India are in the right direction. Hon’ble Chancellor of Central University of Odisha Prof. P.V. Krishna Bhatta highlighted the importance of sports and games in our culture for generations. He urged the students not only to focus on studies, but also focus on sports for overall development of body and mind.
All India General Secretary, Kreeda Bharati, Mr. Raj Choudhry addressed the gathering by signifying the importance of sports in our culture quoting; “Lord Shri Krishna also played a lot of sports”. He also mentioned Saavan ka Jhoola and encouraged the students for sporting events. Also present on the dais was Arjuna Award winner and eminent Olympian Gopal Saini.
On the occasion various traditional games of India were showcased including Yoga, Archery, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Malkhamb and Rope Malkhamb (all from Odisha), Gatka, Kalarippayattu, Thang-Ta(Assam), Atya Patya, Gilli Danda and Surya Namaskar. During the second session two sports events were demonstrated, Rope and Pole Malkhamb (Odisha) and Bharatiya Yudha Kaushal (West Bengal).
The purpose of the sporting event was twofold: to create awareness about the traditional games of India, which are losing popularity in the modern days, and, to rescue them from oblivion. India’s rich culture and history have always been deeply rooted in sports and games. Traditional games like Kho Kho, Pallanguzi, Lippa, Kabaddi, and Gilli Danda have been forgotten by today’s youth since they are so absorbed in playing video games. Numerous health problems have arisen in children as a result of the decline in physical exercise. Therefore, bringing back traditional sports will have many beneficial effects on the health of our young population. For this event, eight groups of sportspersons are present in the University. Five are from Odisha, two from West Bengal and one group from Assam.
Also present on the occasion were dignitaries were Prof. Jatin H. Soni, former Vice-Chancellor, Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, Shri Madhumay Nath, Joint Secretary of Kreeda Bharati; Shri Damodar Pradhan; Eminent Bhoodan Movement activist Shri Krushna Singh, Prof. Sudhendu Mondal, Advisor, Academic and Administration of CUO; the G.M. of NAD, the Head of the Cobra Battalion of Koraput, the Principal of K.V, NAD. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Prof. N.C. Panda, Dean of School of Languages of CUO. Dr. Kakoli Banerjee, faculty member, Dept. of BCNR of CUO coordinated the event. The event was attended by many dignitaries, sportspersons, the varsity faculty members, other staff members, research scholars and students. The students of the university presented a cultural programme in the evening. Tribal festival was also organised under the G20 Jan Bhagidari Programme.
