Srinagar, Sep 17 (JKNS): The Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) officially commenced the “Sewa Parv 2025” initiative, unleashing a powerful fortnight of sports, fitness, and community service designed to channel youth energy towards nation-building and a drug-free lifestyle.
Running from September 17 to October 2, 2025, the comprehensive calendar is packed with inter-district championships, zonal athletic meets, cleanliness drives, and cultural programs.
This large-scale effort embodies the spirit of ‘Sewa’ (service) and aligns with the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and the Ministry of Culture’s ethos of ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’ (Development as well as Heritage), weaving cultural pride with a deep sense of social responsibility.
The launch day witnessed an explosion of athletic talent and competitive spirit across the region.
In Rajouri, the festivities began with Inter-School District Level Athletics meets featuring track, field, jumping, and throwing events for multiple age groups, seeing massive participation from students eager to showcase their talent.
This theme of sporting excellence was echoed passionately. Reasi district hosted a prestigious Inter-District Division Level WushU-17 & U-19 Girls Championship at the Indoor Sports Complex.
The event saw fierce but friendly competition, with young athletes from Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, and Reasi districts clinching gold, silver, and bronze medals, demonstrating remarkable skill and discipline in the martial art.
Similarly, Samba district organized an Inter Zonal District Level Cricket U-19 Boys tournament at the iconic Kehli Ground, featuring 49 players from five zones battling it out with great sportsmanship.
Baramulla is currently abuzz with intensive Inter-Zonal hockey and cricket selection trials, with a remarkable turnout of 130 girls alone for hockey trials at BHS Singpora Kalan, highlighting the growing passion for sports among young women.
Beyond competitive sports, the focus was firmly on mass participation and holistic health. Srinagar set a spectacular precedent with morning fitness sessions, mass yoga, and aerobics that attracted a staggering participation of approximately 11,000 students from across the city. This was complemented by the commencement of Inter-School District Level Netball and Throwball competitions.
Ganderbal district organized extensive Athletic Meets across all its zones (Ganderbal, Kangan, Hariganiwan, Tullamulla), with hundreds of young athletes competing in running, jumping, and throwing events. These meets serve as a crucial feeder system for selecting talent for higher-level district and provincial championships.
Bandipora successfully continued Day 2 of its Athletic Meet at multiple venues, awarding medals to top performers in the Boys U17 & U19 and Girls U14 categories, fostering a culture of recognition and excellence.
True to the core theme of ‘Sewa Parv’, Departments seamlessly integrated community service with athletic development. Staff across districts, including in Srinagar and Rajouri, supported sporting events while simultaneously leading environmental drives focused on the reduction of single-use plastic.
Anantnag and Kupwara districts kicked off their programs with solemn Anti-Drug Pledge ceremonies and comprehensive cleanliness drives, involving line departments, local panchayats, and educational institutions. Kupwara also fostered community bonding through friendly volleyball and cricket matches.
Doda district launched its campaign with athletic events, volleyball, kabaddi tournaments, and cleanliness drives across all zones, seeing enthusiastic involvement from hundreds of students. (JKNS)
