Dehradun: Ahead of the 38th National Games, Honorable Minister of Sports and Women & Child Welfare, Rekha Arya, celebrated Makar Sankranti with children from the Rajkiya Shishu Sadan and Rajkiya Balika Niketan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dehradun.
The minister personally cooked and served the traditional “khichdi” for the children on this festive occasion. She also engaged with them by flying kites and playing “Pithoo” (a traditional game of Uttarakhand). The event aimed not only to celebrate the festival but also to inspire children to connect with sports.
On this occasion, Rekha Arya said, “This stadium is the venue for the upcoming National Games. I wanted the children from Shishu Sadan and Balika Niketan to connect with this grand event and see how athletes perform on such a big field.”
She added, “Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of auspicious days, and the days grow longer. I want children to start these days by engaging in sports.”
After the celebrations, the minister reviewed the preparations for the National Games and extended her best wishes to the athletes. She also said “On this auspicious occasion of Uttarayani, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the players. I am confident that when they arrive here, they will feel a deep connection with the holy land of Uttarakhand. So far, Uttarakhand has been known as the Land of Warriors and Gods, and now it will also be recognized as the Land of Sports.”
The program was organized to promote cultural values and encourage the holistic development of children.
