Sri Anandpur Sahib's MP S. Malvinder Singh Kang today dedicated six gyms in a single day to residents and youth in various villages of Kharar Assembly Constituency.
He said that three indoor gyms at Siampur, Kherpur and Machhli Khurd, along with three open gyms at Fatehgarh, Abhipur and Popna, were inaugurated under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MP LAD) Fund. He added that each gym project was completed at a cost of Rs 3 lakh.
The Member of Parliament from Anandpur Sahib said that the establishment of these gyms aims to spread the message of healthy living among residents and youth in rural areas. He further stated that apart from gyms, volleyball and basketball courts are also being developed through the judicious use of MP LAD funds across the parliamentary constituency.
Highlighting sports infrastructure initiatives, Kang said that a basketball court costing Rs 15 lakh has been sanctioned for Khizrabad village near Kurali. Besides this, several volleyball and basketball courts are also being developed in Chamkaur Sahib, Balachaur and Garhshankar areas.
Sharing his personal connection with sports, Kang said that his experience as a basketball player during university games helped him imbibe discipline, sportsmanship and leadership qualities, which later guided him to public life and Parliament. He added that while MP LAD funds are also being utilised for infrastructure works such as drains, streets, school rooms and solar lights, his primary focus remains on promoting sporting culture and healthy lifestyles among youth through gyms and playgrounds.
He said that although the annual MP LAD allocation of Rs 5 crore is limited in comparison to the vast requirements of the constituency, which spans nine Assembly segments across SAS Nagar, Rupnagar, SBS Nagar and Hoshiarpur districts, efforts are being made to ensure balanced development in all areas. Interacting with media persons regarding the Prime Minister's appeal for self-restraint in view of the repercussions of the West Asia conflict, Kang said that the situation reflects failures in economic and foreign policy.
He stated that timely and effective policy measures could have prevented shortages of LPG and other essential commodities, including vehicle fuel. Kang further said that the Punjab Government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to the holistic development of rural Punjab, adding that the construction of 3,100 sports grounds across the state is a commendable initiative in this direction.
During his visit to the villages, Kang was welcomed by local leaders, sarpanches and panchayats. He also inaugurated a Rs 3 lakh streets and drains project in Chatauli village, taking the total value of development works inaugurated during the day to Rs 21 lakh.