From 'Gatka' To 'Turai Kar', Usha Champions Revival Of Traditional Sports Across India

India boasts a rich tapestry of traditional sports, yet we have lost connection with our vibrant sporting heritage, with many sports teetering on the verge of dying. To revive these forgotten sports activities, Usha has taken the initiative to promote a diverse array of traditional sports across India, with the help of women from Silai Schools.

The women associated with the Usha Silai Schools have taken a lead role in organising, promoting and participating in sports and community events. In a concerted effort to foster the holistic well-being of the community, these women recently organised a Yoga camp for the women residing in Saswad in Pune, Maharashtra.

Here, women can embrace yoga, promoting not just physical health but also unity and breaking societal barriers.

On this journey of collaboration and revival of long-lost sports activities, Usha Play and Usha Social Services, in partnership with Seva Trust UK, are reviving the lost form of self-defence known as Gatka or stick fighting.

Gatka is a combat sport involving stick fighting using wooden sticks called "Soti," which was originally practiced by Sikh warriors during the martial era of the Sikh Gurus. "Gatka" is now practiced by "Gatkabaaz" in which the opponent counters the attacker's moves, creating a dynamic interplay of offensive and defensive techniques accompanied by footwork patterns.

This forgotten sport is being revived through the Usha Gatka Championship organised in Haryana. The extraordinary women of the USHA Silai School are not mere onlookers; they actively participate in these rural sports events. Their determination and skill defy stereotypes and demonstrate that women are equally adept at achieving excellence, both within and beyond the realm of sewing machines. This underscores their ability to excel beyond their roles in sewing.

Traditional sports, such as Gatka, serve as gateways into cultural ceremonies, and time-honored traditions. This vibrant playground merges heritage with competition, empowering children to embrace their ancestral roots as they engage in sports activities. Thanks to the remarkable women of Usha Silai Schools, these traditional sports are reclaiming their significance in society, emphasising the importance of preserving cultural heritage through physical activities.

In Kashmir, Usha has joined hands with the MOOL Sustainability Research and Training Center to organise the "Turai Kar" sports event at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Ganderbal.

The game involves two teams with an equal number of players. The teams select a tall tree to safeguard, with some players nurturing it and others attempting to disrupt that care. The opposing team aims to touch the tree, at which point the players shout and chant "Turai Kar".

"Turai Kar" gives us a glimpse into how people in Kashmir used to have fun and engage socially through recreational activities while promoting ecological awareness within communities.

The initiative aims not only to promote sportsmanship but also to integrate community involvement and sustainable practices within the Valley's stunning scenery.