Akharas spring to life in Bundelkhand

BHOPAL: Amid drought and government’s apathy, akharas have come alive in the Bundelkhand region of MP during the ongoing Makar Sankranti festivities. Large turnouts at wrestling bouts have become a common feature these days. As many as 10,000 to 15,000 spectators gathered to watch the wrestling events. Such is the craze that almost all local wrestlers have been booked in advance for the bouts in the next 10 days.

Last Saturday was a real treat to the people as two women wrestlers exhibited their skills in the local akhara. Pinki Rani and Rishu Naagar had come all the way from

Meerut

to the dusty town of

Chandla

in

Chattarpur

to participate in the dangal. Loudspeakers were blaring the popular number of ‘Dangal’ film ‘ Nikkar aur T-sirt pehan kar..’ while their bout was in progress,

At least one dangal takes place daily in villages of Chattarpur, all of them in clay akharas. It is not that this sport is new in this part of the world. It has always been a popular pastime, said Guru Bafati, a veteran pehelwan of Luvkush Nagar. “See the number of spectators and the way they are enjoying the game”, he said pointing to a bout underway in a local akhara.

“We have limited funds and the prize money is not much, still wrestling is very popular here”, said Suresh Soni, a local businessman. Pinki and Rishu each were given a sum of Rs 8,000 for taking part in the contest. When asked whether she is inspired by the success of Sakshi Malik and Phogat sisters, Pinki told TOI said, “My inspiration is Alka Tomar, an international wrestler from Meerut who won medals in senior wrestling championships in Guangzhou in 2006 and also at Doha Asian games the same year.” Daughter of a labourer, Pinki got a job as sub-inspector two months back in

Seema Suraksha Bal

(SSB) under sports quota.

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