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Kila Raipur
Where Corporate Meets Rural Rustic, Curiosities Abound & Cash Talks A Lot
WSN Bureau 

Where in the world will you find such scenes of rustic Punjabi folk, the legendary bullock cart races, and farmers spending lakhs of rupees on cattle that will never work the fields? Welcome to Kila Raipur's Annual Rural Sports Extravanganza where the spirit of money keeps pace with the idea of Punjabi loudness, and sports becomes a performance art that needs physical strength, oodles of hard cash and massive egos as well as several lessons in humility. Human strength and the sheer enthusiasm of the public coupled with pressing crowds of simple villagers and dressed to boot NRIs talking dollars and California, Kila Raipur will elbow out any Scarborough Fair. 

The 75th Kila Raipur Sports Festival got off to an exciting start on Thursday. Jockeys shouted battle cries goading their bulls to streak through the tracks and people wondered at how much such bulls cost. The corporate had met the rural and the outcome was clear: Punjab's Rural Games Have Arrived. Provided You Have Cash Enough to Be A Part. 

The big attractions included tent pegging with riders galloping down with spears piercing the pegs on the track as they let out a battle cry. Eccentricity and macho prowess met as men of all age, from seven to 70, displayed a test of endurance, skill and show of strength, but one thing was clear: like in life, the rural sports also remained a largely male affair. 

Of  course there was some serious competition in athletics and hockey. Weight lifters were a treat to watch, so were the dog racers. Daredevilry also seemed to be a running theme. 

One common participant throughout was the camera. Cameras everywhere clicked like mad as hundreds of tourists had gathered to witness the four-day event. Curiosities never end. A kid was lifting bicycles with his teeth, someone was pulling cars with their teeth or ears, one was riding a bicycle ringed with a burning tyre. Horse dance, bullock-cart races and cock fighting drew massive response. 

"Our main attraction is the bullock-cart race. It is very famous. As for other events, there is kabaddi, horse-riding, camel race, tractor race, hockey, a tug-of-war. There are many other attractions as well. There are various performances and it is a 24-hour complete entertainment," said Gurvinder Singh Grewal, organizer.

Over the years, the games have not only gained popularity in India but have also attracted people from abroad as well.

24 February 2010
 

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