Khelo India Scheme: ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’

Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam, have been identified under the ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ component of Khelo India Scheme

The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme
Khelo India is a merger of the following schemes:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan(RGKA)
2. Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS)
3. National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS)

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Aim:
- To revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports and establishing India as a great sporting nation.
Objective
- Mass participation of youth in annual sports competitions through a structured competition;
- Identification of talent
- Guidance and nurturing of the talent through existing sports academies and new set up either by the Central Government or State Government or in PPP mode.
- Creation of Sports Infrastructure at mofussil, Tehsil, District, State levels, etc.
To accomplish the above objectives, the Khelo India programme has been divided into 12components, namely:

Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games is one of the 12 Components of the Khelo India Scheme
It is specifically dedicated to the development and promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games in the country.
Promotion under this component
- Grants are sanctioned for infrastructure development, equipment support, the appointment of coaches, training of coaches and scholarships under this Component.

Mallakhamb is an ancient traditional Indian sport.
‘Malla’ means gymnast, and ‘khamb’ means pole.
- Thus, ‘Mallakhamb’ stands for a gymnast’s pole’.
The origin of Mallakhamb can be traced to the 12th century, where it is mentioned in Manas-Olhas – a classic by Chalukya in 1135 A.D.
On 2013, the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh declared Mallakhamba the state sport.

Kalaripayattu, also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art that originated in modern-day Kerala, a state on the southwestern coast of India.
A ‘Kalari’ is the location where this martial art is practised.
Kalaripayattu is known for its long-standing history in Indian martial arts.
It is also known as the “Father of Modern Kung Fu.”
Kalaripayattu has different techniques like meipayattu (physical body exercise), vadipayattu (fight using sticks), valpayattu (fight using swords) and verumkaiprayoga (bare hand exercise).

Gatka is a form of martial art associated primarily with the Sikhs of the Punjab and other related ethnic groups, such as Hindkowans.
The Punjabi name, gatka, refers to the wooden stick.
It is a stick-fighting style, with wooden sticks intended to simulate swords.
Gatka originated in Punjab in the 15th century, but much of the Gatka forms practiced today in the west are Europeanised versions.
It is believed to have originated when the sixth Sikh guru, Hargobind, adopted ‘Kirpan’ for self-defence during the Mughal era.
The tenth Guru Gobind Singh made it compulsory for everyone to use weapons for self-defence

Thang Ta is the traditional martial art of Manipur in Northeast India.
Thang Ta is an ancient martial technique founded by the Meitei from the Manipur military context.
Thang Ta was also known as Huyen Lallong, which means “sword and spear art.”
It integrates various external weapons – the sword, spear, dagger, etc. – with the internal practice of physical control through soft movements coordinated with breathing rhythms.
It is part of the great heroic tradition of Manipur.

Yogasana is a sport that focuses on the physical aspect of yoga.
Players have to perform yogic postures and are judged on their difficulty, balance, control, flexibility and endurance.
The word yogasana is derived from two Sanskrit words, Yuj meaning unite and Asana meaning body postures.
The practice finds its origins in India, dating back to 3000 BC and is believed to have been developed by the sages of the Indus Saraswati Valley civilisation.

Silambam is an ancient weapon-based martial art that originated in Tamil Nadu.
This ancient fighting style is mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature in 400 BCE.
The name is derived from the Tamil word “Silambal” which roughly translates to sounds of the hills and nature.
Bamboo staff- This is the principal weapon, and the length of the bamboo staff is determined by the practitioner’s height.

Pic Courtesy: New Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The Hindu

Content Source: PIB