Republic Day performers left scrambling for drinking water

Bhopal: Schoolchildren from Ujjain, invited to perform the traditional sport of Malkhambh at Lok Rang during Republic Day celebrations in the state capital, found themselves struggling for drinking water late Wednesday night after their hostel locked access to the only source inside.On stage, the young athletes displayed balance and discipline in a centuriesold sport. Off stage, they were seen balancing bottles under a running tap at the entrance of Manas Bhawan in Shymala Hills. Around 10 pm, with no potable water available indoors, they stepped out to fetch water from outside the hostel—barely a kilometre from Ravindra Bhawan, the main venue. About a dozen children had been lodged there under official arrangements.
"There is no drinking water inside. The access has been locked," one participant said. Coaches had retired for the night, leaving a lone security guard to direct the children to a tap in the bushes, reportedly used for watering plants, assuring them it was safe to drink. The contrast was stark— performers celebrated as guests of a national festival, yet left to improvise for a necessity as basic as water in their Khelo India track suits.Madhya Pradesh culture department official Ashok Mishra acknowledged the complaint, saying the matter would be investigated. "If any artist has not been served or well taken care of, we will look into it," he said.Later, Vikas, a Tribal Museum representative coordinating with the group, maintained the performers never raised any complaint. "I have been with them for three days," he noted.