Khelo Dharmanagar: How This Sports Event combating different types of addictions among Youth in Tripura
Initiated by the Dharmanagar Municipal Council and inspired by Biswabandhu Sen, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, "Khelo Dharmanagar" - a multifaceted sports competition - began in 2023.
This year marked its second edition, held with even greater scale and vibrancy, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of schools, degree colleges, social organizations, and clubs from the Dharmanagar subdivision.
The 2024 "Khelo Dharmanagar" featured 43 diverse sporting events, drawing over 5,000 participants, including students, club athletes, members of social organizations, homemakers, and local citizens.
The core objective was to steer the youth away from mobile addiction and other undesirable habits, encouraging them to embrace sports for physical and mental well-being.
As part of the closing festivities, a marathon race kicked off this morning from the front of Ardhendu Bhattacharya Smriti Bhawan, captivating spectators as participants from across the city joined in.
Later, at 11 a.m., the prize distribution ceremony took place at the Vivekananda Sardha-Shatabarshiki Bhawan. The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Chairperson of Dharmanagar Municipal Council Mitali Das Sen, Chief Executive Officer and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sajal Debnath, MLA and Assembly Speaker Biswabandhu Sen, all municipal councilors, principals of various schools, representatives of clubs and organizations, participating athletes, and sports enthusiasts.
Biswabandhu Sen inaugurated the ceremony, having played a pivotal role in its success. He contributed Rs 9 lakh from his MLA fund, which was utilized for prizes and cash awards for the participants. A highlight of the event was the felicitation of Dharmanagar’s celebrated athlete Saptaparna Bhattacharya, who secured second place in martial arts at the national level. Sen personally handed her a cheque of Rs 5,000 and a memento, making the moment truly memorable.
Following this, winners in each category—first, second, and third—received cash prizes and certificates of honor.
"Khelo Dharmanagar" transcends a mere sports competition; it is a social movement aimed at fostering a healthy, active lifestyle among the younger generation by distancing them from mobile and other addictions. Spanning one and a half months, the event unfolded at the Bir Bikram Institution Ground, the heart of Dharmanagar, where large crowds gathered daily to cheer the athletes.
The chess competition stood out as an exceptional event, attracting participants not only from Dharmanagar but across Tripura. Biswabandhu Sen assured that future editions would be organized on an even grander scale. He also announced plans to install portraits of deceased artists on the walls of Vivekananda Sardha Shatabarshiki Bhawan to preserve Dharmanagar’s cultural heritage.
Through this splendid and meaningful event, Dharmanagar once again demonstrated that sports are not just about competition—they are a bridge to social progress and unity. The people of Dharmanagar eagerly await the next edition of "Khelo Dharmanagar," hoping for an even larger celebration in the years to come.
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