Campfire gives players Lohri vibes

Ludhiana: Sportspersons participating in the 67th National School Games being held at PAU were seem tapping their feet to dhol beats around the campfire on Monday, celebrating the Lohri festival with fervour.Ludhiana city is hosting the National Games in three sports — football (U-19 girls), judo (U-17 boys and girls) and karate (U-19 boys and girls) — which will continue till January 11. The winter chill failed to keep the players indoors. Large gatherings were witnessed at Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Punjab Agricultural University where a common mess is put up. Rewari and moongfali were being distributed among the people.Ludhiana sports coordinator Kulveer Singh said , “ Campfire evening was planned for them to give Lohri vibes to them as the festival is nearing.”State football coach of Maharashtra, Dhiraj Mishra, said: “ It was an excellent idea of the host state to organise this evening. We find this really new and our girls appreciate cultures. Campfire is anyway needed as it is too cold.” A student from Kerala said, “The festive spirit was visible among the gathering. It is the first time that I have seen people assembling around a bonfire, singing folk songs while munching on peanuts.”Talking to TOI, Dimple Madaan, district education officer (secondary) said: “Festivals are a symbol of good social traditions that should be kept alive as they help to nurture brotherhood and are meant to be celebrated together joyfully to build an integrated society.”