Panchkula: The Haryana Environment and Forest Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal said that Haryana is the first state in the country, which has got the opportunity to host the All India Forest Sports Meet for the third time. The land of Haryana is known for the spirit of its youth. This Mahakumbh of sports competitions is a symbol of a positive change in the country and the state, he added.
Sh. Kanwar Pal was addressing after inaugurating 26th All India Forest Sports Meet at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, here yesterday. Member of Parliament , Ambala Lok Sabha, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria was also present on the this occasion.After inaugrating of the 26th All India Forest Sports Meet, Sh. Kanwar Pal took salute from the march past presented by contingents of sportspersons from different States and Union Territories.
He said that earlier this competition was successfully organized in the year 2013 in Panchkula and in 2002 in Faridabad. He expressed gratitude to the Central Government for giving Haryana the opportunity to organize these games again. Sh. Kanwar Pal said that since the beginning of his political life, he has been associated with forest and forest personnel . Due to the dense forest of Kalesar in his area of District Yamuna Nagar, the activity of forest personnel used to remain constant here. They carry out patrolling day and night with great enthusiasm to protect forest wealth.
The Forest Minister said that through sports we learn to be disciplined, to work with team spirit and to keep improving continuously. Sports also generate a feeling of brotherhood which works to connect the family in our field of work. He said that the Forest Sports Meet is not only an opportunity to further strengthen our forest family, to brighten the name of our respective states and organizations, but this competition also have a direct impact on our work as it increase our efficiency. Sports teach us how to achieve our goals by rising above the consideration of caste, creed and religion and putting aside all differences.
Sh. Kanwar Pal said that Haryana is a leading state in sports in the country. The population of Haryana is only 2 percent of the total country's population, but 3 medals were won by Haryana players out of the total 7 medals won by the country in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, including Neeraj Chopra's gold medal. He said that today the players of Haryana have brought laurels to the state in national and international competitions and for this the sports traditions of the state and the sports policies of the state government have contributed significantly.
He said that the officers and employees of the Forest Department in the Country have made their mark in terms sports and fitness. Even one Forest officer conquered Everest and recently a woman IFS officer from Karnataka hoisted the tricolor in Antarctica. It is a matter of great pride for us.
Member of Parliament, Ambala Lok Sabha Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria said that the 26th All India Forest Sports Meet is being organized in his Lok Sabha constituency, for which he expresses gratitude to Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal. He said that world-class sports infrastructure has been developed in Panchkula and Khelo India Youth Games were successfully organized here last year. He said that players from all the States and Union Territories of the country are participating in this forest sports meet. He hoped that new sporting talents would emerge from this competition.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, Haryana Sh. Vineet Garg said that sports have great importance in human life. On one hand sports teach discipline in life, on the other it keeps the body healthy. He said that it is a matter of pleasure that all the forest officers and employees are involved in sports activity and practice regularly. He said that Haryana is the land of Hari, where lord Krishna gave the divine message of Gita. He hoped that all the players would give their best in the competition taking inspiration from the message of Gita.
On this occasion, a tug of war match was played between Haryana and Goa in which Haryana registered a comfortable win over Goa. Cultural programs were also presented by the artists.
On this occasion Director General, Forests, Government of India Sh. C.P. Goyal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Haryana Sh. Jagdish Chander, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sh. Vivek Saxena and Sh. Ghanshyam Shukla, Chief Conservator of Forests Sh. Anant Prakash Pandey and Senior Forests of other states were also present.