Jalandhar, November 21
Empty plastic bags and bottles, eatables and holes dug for erecting tents in the lush grass of Guru Gobind Singh Stadium is what the “world Punjabi cultural festival” has left behind. Residents, sportspersons and environment lovers, are aghast over the blatant misuse of the stadium by the authorities, despite their protests.
The preparations for the event which were going on for the past four-five days also affected the practice of athletes and those athletes who are gearing up for the forthcoming Indo-Pak athletic meet, to be held from December 5.
Perturbed over the damage caused to the stadium and the nod of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust to allow the holding of cultural events at the stadium, Congress leader Umrao Singh, who is also the life president of the Olympic Association, has urged the Punjab Government to refrain the trust from using the stadium for any purpose except for sports activities.
Plastic bottles are scattered and eatables are littered in the stadium. Some workers were lifting chairs and removing temporary structures but nobody was seen lifting the garbage. Most of the poles were removed but no effort was made to fill up the holes.
“Atleast, half a dozen players, including footballer Ramanjit, have injured themselves after such events. We keep opposing holding of such events here but nobody listens to us. Last time, the district administration had assured us that no cultural
event would be held in the stadium. This time, I was told by the administration that no permission was sought from it and it was the Improvement Trust which had given permission for the event also no such shows should be held at a place named after Gurus and saints,” Mr Umrao Singh said.
“The worst hit are a group of women athletes who are preparing for the Indo-Pak athletic meet. Even if the holes are filled sand will get depressed and subsequently pits would be created in the ground as a result of watering,” he said
Amid chaotic scenes, the festival turned out to be damp affair for some who had to jostle with inebriated gunmen of a politician for having access to the VIP gallery. A battery of security guards of the politician grabbed most of the space near the stage and were seemingly in a drunken state. They even offered liquor to some mediapersons and photographers, who were astonished to see liquor reach the VIP gallery and that too in the presence of a tight security cover.
