Every school-going child has been tutored to believe that peacock is our National Bird, lion is our National Animal and Hockey is our National Sport. Hockey has been attributed as the National Sport of India since the textbooks of our childhood. However, it is high time for the people of this nation to do some unlearning regarding the misconception of Hockey being the National Sport of India.
Background
It is a widely misconceived concept that Hockey owns the pedestal as the National Sport of India. However, in reality, Hockey has never been provided with the position of National Sport in India; infact, no sport in Indian history has been established as a National Sport in the legal sense. The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (hereinafter, "Union Ministry") had declared almost a decade ago in 2012, as a reply to a request under Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter, "RTI"), that Hockey is not the National Sport of India.
This information has been reiterated time and again by the Union Ministry under various requests of RTI. In the most recent RTI request by a school teacher of Maharashtra in January 2020, the Union Ministry replied to the question of Hockey being declared as the National Sport, that "Government Authorities have not put in any Sport as the National Sport of the Nation in a legal declaration, since it is the objective of the Government and authorities to promote each and every popular and potential sport discipline, while also not putting in all its focus on a single one by declaring it as a National Sport."
Absence of a National Sport in India and Artificial Factors Applied for Determination of National Sport
There is no denying that Hockey has been held as our National Sport through our textbooks right from the primary level in India's education system. The perception of Hockey as the National Sport can be attributed to the highly successful pathway of the Indian Men's Hockey team in the early 1900s at the Olympics and to the fact that it was one of the earliest sports to gain such success and popularity. However, in the legal sense, there is no such National Sport.
There are many artificial factors which may be applied for the determination of a national sport including popularity, success, accessibility, cultural relevance and so on. 'Success' and 'popularity' go hand-in-hand and are not the best criteria for such a decision of national sport since it is highly volatile and unstable.
Did you know?
In the early 1900s, Hockey was considered as the most successful and popular path in sports. However, it changed when India won the prominent Cricket World Cup in 1983 to replace Hockey as the most popular and successful game in India.
Secondly, 'accessibility' is one of the most essential parts in deciding the national status of a sport. Accessibility does not just include the access to sports gear, infrastructure and other relevant equipment, rather also the affordability of such equipment. For instance, 'Cricket', as a popular sport, does not have accessibility and affordability in its favour since half the population of India struggles with acquiring the expensive gear used in it.
Lastly, 'cultural relevance' also plays an important part in deciding a nation's national sport. However, in a country with the most complex demographics such as India, it becomes highly troublesome to select a single sport that has significance for all the varied cultures present. A sport like 'Kabaddi' is highly culturally relevant in the northern parts of India such as in Punjab, Haryana etc., originating from the Vedic Period. It has been well established through various official competitions taking place as early as in the 1920s. On the other hand, 'Canoe Racing' is the most popular sport in the southern parts such as Kerala and other parts of India such as Bengal. Henceforth, it becomes onerous and tedious to select a single sport as a National Sport in India.
Rationale behind Plea for Hockey as the National Sport
On 9th of August 2021, a Public Interest Litigation (hereinafter, "PIL") was filed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India by lawyer Vishal Tiwari, in the context of seeking recognition of the game of Hockey as the National Sport of India. The PIL also sought to require sports authorities as well as the Government to push for the advancement of various games played at the Olympic level and not just merely popular games such as Cricket.
The PIL filed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court aims at advancement of various sports as well as establishing Hockey as the National Sport. According to the applicant, the popular perception of Hockey as a National Sport shall be legally recognised by the appropriate Government Authority as a part of its objective to uplift the sports industry and discipline.
In furtherance of the same objective, the plea applies for providing of due funds as well as proper facilities and appropriate infrastructure for the development of the sports sector. The PIL has urged the Union Ministry to initiate public accountability of the allocation of funds used in the sports industry as well as to house a greater responsibility towards it by due broadcasting of various sports events for the promotion of such activities.
The PIL makes use of the highly rich history of Hockey in India and various accolades brought in by Indian Hockey players, right from the six consecutive gold medals at the Olympic level (1928 – 1956) to the latest bronze medal in the 2021 Olympics by our National Hockey team, for the purpose of highlighting the importance of Hockey as a game, both in context of popularity and success in India.
The PIL considered it noteworthy that the arbitral allocation of the funds, a poor infrastructure, absence of international level facilities along with failure to provide allowances to the potential athletes and their kin has resulted in the apparent decline of the fame of Hockey as a sport. Therefore, it is of high priority to bring back hockey in its ultimate glory with proper initiative and support by the Government of India and other Sports Authorities, while ensuring the standard of this sport being at its par.
Conclusion
India does not have a 'National Sport' declared legally due to its highly varied and enriched cultural differentia, since it is close to impossible to inculcate the interests of every culture and section of India so as to make one single sport as the National Sport. The various artificial factors such as success, popularity and accessibility changes spontaneously over the years and cannot be relied upon to make such a permanent and everlasting decision.
Though Hockey is not officially recognised as the National Sport of India, yet, it has remained as the crown jewel of the Indian sports industry for many decades and hence certainly qualifies as one of the strongest candidates to being the National Sport of India.
What do you think?
Monday, 27 September 2021
JAMMU AND KASHMIR TOURISM
JAMMU AND KASHMIR Your Next Holiday Destination
Also known as “Paradise on Earth,” Jammu and Kashmir in north India is one of the best tourist destinations for summers. During summers, its the verdant valleys with spectacular sights, that draw families to this valley nestled in the lap of Himalayas. During winters, it is the allure of snow and adventure activities.
With its natural beauty, religious importance and diversity of sights and things to do, it is no wonder that Jammu and Kashmir happens to be one of the top places in India for honeymoon, family holidays, adventure activities and pilgrimage.
One only becomes aware of the beauty of this part when presented with Kashmir in Pictures. Here’s our photolog that brings out the diversity, awe inspiring beauty and multitude of experiences through Kashmir in pictures, for it deservedly is one of the top tourist destinations and and evergreen place to visit in India.
Jammu in Images
1.Raghunath Temple
Raghunath Temple – A famous temple in Jammu City
2. Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu
Ma Vaisno Devi shrine on nestled on the Trikuta Hill near Katra is India’s second most visited Hindu religious shrine. Millions head to Ma Vaishno Devi every year to pay obeisance to mother goddess and seek blessing.
“Patnitop” A better place for outing after Vaishno Devi Darshan
Patnitop is a favored destination in Jammu and Kashmir for honeymoon and adventure. Activities like paragliding, ice skating and cool climes make it one of the top places to visit in Jammu.
4.Sanasar
“Sanasar” A Popular place for Paragliding in Jammu & Kashmir
Sanasar in Jammu is an ideal place for the beginners to go for tandem paragliding as well as opt for paragliding lessons from the experts.
Boulevard Road in Srinagar is like a postcard from Venice or Greece. The road that passes by the Dal Lake is one of the most popular jaunts of the tourists visiting Srinagar. There are a lot of shopping options, street food as well as some of the best hotels located by the Boulevard Road.
2. Dal Lake
World famous “Dal Lake” in Srinagar
With its rows of shikaras, floating markets and houseboats moored at the bank, Dal Lake is the center of activities in Srinagar. Hemmed in by Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, Dal Lake is the life line of the city. Flotilla of shikaras ferry tourists and locals alike. The scenic view of the Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, both build by Mughals forms the highlights of shikara ride in the Dal Lake.
The flotillas of shikara forms the lifeline and hub of activities around Dal Lake. Be it the floating bazaars and shops, ferrying school children or travelers, shikara rides are the highlight of tour & travel around Dal Lake. You can hitch for the shikara ride from boulevard road or from the houseboat to reach boulevard road if you are staying in one.
4.Nishat Bagh
Nishat Garden, Srinagar
One of the most spectacular Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, Nishat Bagh with Zabarwan mountain in its backdrop is the second largest terraced gardens built in Kashmir. The garden was commissioned and designed by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Zehan an father in law of Shah Jahan. In total there are 12 terraces lines with avenue of Chinar and Cypruss trees that begins from Dal Lake and reaches up to the hill that forms the front facade of the garden.
5. Shalimar Garden
Shalimar Garden, Srinagar
Built by Mughal Emperor Jahan Gir for his wife Nur Jahan, Shalimar Bagh is one of the most spectacular charbagh style gardens in India. Considered the zenith of Mughal horticulture, the Shalimar Bagh is 3 terraced garden fitted with water fountaines and lines by Chinar trees. Nestled on the east bank of the Dal Lake with Zabarwan mountain as its backdrop, this garden is one of the favored haunt of tourist and love struck couples.
6. Tulip Garden
Tulip Garden, Srinagar
Spread across 12 hectares in Srinagar, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest Tulip Garden in Asia.
“Kheer Bhawani Temple ” A Famous Hindu temple near Srinagar City
Kheer Bhawani, so called beacause of the kheer or the pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess, is the most important temple for the Kashmiri Pandits, the historical followers of the Vedic religion in the Kashmir region. This temple is located 14 miles east of Srinagar in the village of Tula Mula.
8. Hazratbal Mosque
Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar
Hazratbal is the most revered Muslim shrine in Srinagar. It is believed that the holy relic belonging to Muhammad Prophet are stored inside the shrine of Hazratbal.
The famous city square of Srinagar, Lal Chowk is known as the site for political meetings and protests. It was that the first prime minister of India hoisted the National Flag of India in 1948 and promised a referendum to Kashmiris to choose their political future.
10. Jama Masjid
Biggest mosque in Srinagar “Jama Masjid”
11. Vegetable Market
Amazing vegetable market in Dal Lake
The floating vegetable market in Dal Lake is lifeline to the supply of food material to the numerous houseboats moored on the edge of the lake.
Gulmarg in Images
1. Gondola Ride
Famous activity to do in Gulmarg “Gondola Ride”
Goldola Ride in Gulmarg is the highest in India and one of the top things to do in Gulmarg, one of the popular honeymoon destinations in India.
2. Skiing
Gulmarg is the best place to enjoy Skiing
Good snowfall and favorable terrain makes Gulmarg the best ski resort in India. From December till March, Gulmarg offers the best ops for skiing, snow boarding, ice skating and heli skiing ops in India making it one of the top places for winter holidays in India.
The golf course in Gulmarg is one of the highest in India. Gulmarg Gold Resort has hosted quite a few major golfing events in India and definitely rates as one of the most scenic golf courses in India.
4. Khyber Pass Resort
Khyber Hotel of Gulmarg covered in Snow
For the discerning travelers, the recently opened Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa offer the elegant and comfortable stay suffused in luxury. It’s beautiful location coupled with state of the art amenities and gracious hospitality makes it one of the best luxury hotel experiences in Himalayas.
Sonamarg in Images
1. Thajiwas Glaciar
Thajiwas Glaciar in Sonamarg
Hike to Thajiwas Glacier atop ponies is most popular among the honeymooners and families on tour to Sonamarg. More adventurous soul take the trail and trek to this beautiful glacier.
2. Amarnath Cave
Holy Amarnath Cave, Sonamarg
Every Year, thousand of pilgrims embark on Amarnath Yatra, an important Hindu pilgrimage to seek blessings from Baba Barfani, the snow incarnation of Lord Shiva. You need to register for permit, and obtain medical certificate to be elegible to take the Holy Amarnath Yatra. Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage starts either from Baltal near Sonamarg or from Pahalgam.
Nowadays Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter packages are available to cater to the elderly and devotees with less time up their sleeve.
Emerald water streams flowing with the lush Himalayas in backdrop and tranquil surrounding makes Sonamarg one of the popular places for honeymoon in North India.
4. Fishing
Trout Fishing in Sonmarg
If you love angling, obtain a permit from the forest department in Srinagar and embark on an adventurous fishing tour in Sonamarg. Trouts are the most common found around here. You could also do a one day trek to high altitude lakes in the region to fish for trouts. Remember that a day permit only allows you to fish 6 trouts a day. Tourist could get up to 6 days permit at once from the department.
5. Zoji La Pass
Zojila Pass, Sonamarg
Zoji La near Baltal is where you leave the stark landscape of Ladakh behind and enter the lush meadows and verdant valleys of Kashmir. The Zoji La pass connects Kargil to Srinagar and is one of the strategically important mountain passes on Leh Srinagar highway.
Pahalgam in Images
1. Arru Valley
Aru valley, Pahalgam
View of the snowcapped Himalayas, lush valleys strewn with towering Chir and Deodar forest and tranquil surrounding makes Aru Valley one of the top places to visit in Pahalgam. Together with Betab Valley, Gulmarg and Srinagar, Aru Valley in Pahalgam is one of the most sought after honeymoon destinations in Kashmir.
2. Betaab Valley
Betaab Valley, Pahalgam
So named after the shooting of Hollywood hit movie Betaab, this valley is one of the most verdant places in Pahalgam. There are several treks that could be embarked upon from here.
3. Rafting in Lidder River
Water rafting in Lidder river, Pahalgam
4. Shesnag Lake
Shesnag Lake, Pahalgam
5. Baba Reshi Shrine
Baba Reshi shrine, Gulmarg
Leh Ladakh in Images
1. Ladakh by Bike
Ladakh Trip by Bike
One of the most adventurous, thrilling and spectacular road trips in India is the Ladakh Trip on Motorcycle. The bikers follow either the Leh Manali Highway or the Leh Srinagar Highway to reach Leh by road in one of the most spellbinding adventures on motorcycle in India. Bike trip to Ladakh entails crossing some of the highest motorable mountain passes and riding across challenging but awe inspiring terrains that include the Morey Plains and Gata Loops on Leh Manali Highway.
One of the dream of very aspiring road tripper in India and even around the globe, the climb of Khardung La offers ride through one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Scaling Khardung La by road on motorcycle or car, whose summit varies from elevation of 17, 582 feet to 18, 379 feet depending on whose version you believe, is one of the most popular activities in Ladakh.
3. Magnetic Hill
Magnetic Hill in Leh Ladakh
Magnetic Hill on Leh Srinagar Highway is rumored to have magnetic properties. It is said that if you park your vehicle inside the box on the road at the signboard (in the picture), your vehicle will automatically start moving uphill due to the magnetic property of the surrounding hills. Of course many experiments and trials has come to the conclusion that same is not the true and the vehicle just appears to be moving due to the optical illusion caused by the landscape.
4. Camel Safari
Camel Safari in Leh Ladakh
One of the most popular things to do in Leh Ladakh is the camel safari up on Double Humped Bactrian Camels in the sand dunes of Hunder, also referred to as the desert in the sky. Hunder is a popular camping site in Nubra Valley.
5. Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh
One of the top attractions in Ladakh, Shanti Stupa in offers majestic panorama of the Leh Town. It is a peace pagoda built by the Japanese and one of the popular places to visit in Leh. The Shanti Stupa holds a relic of Buddha at its base which was enshrined by his holiness Dalai Lama.
6. Pangong Lake
Crystal Clear “Pangong Lake”
One of the top things to do in Leh Ladakh, Pangong Tso is one of the highest saline water lakes in the world. Nestled at an altitude of 14, 270 feet, the Pangong Lake is known for its crystal clear brackish water which changes different shades of colors at different time of the day.
In recent time, Pangong has become one of the recurrent features in Bollywood movies and many an advertisement commercial. The lake first shot into prominence after the climax scene of the super hit Bollywood movie 3 Idiots was shot here.
7. Hemis Festival
Hemis Festival in Leh Ladakh
8. Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery
9. Ladakh Festival
Ladakh festival
Festivals in Leh Ladakh offer a peek into the ancient Tantric Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism that forms the culture of this region. Festival tours in Ladakh are offer great opportunities to aquatint yourself with the culture, art and lifestyle of Ladakh.
10. Leh Palace
Leh Palace
Leh Palace, the former residence of the royal family of the Ladakh region is one of the popular tourist attractions in Leh town. It also houses a small museums with relics and artifacts.
11. Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard in Leh Ladakh
If you are fortunate enough, there are chances that you may sight the elusive and endangered snow leopard during your visit to the Hemis Biosphere Reserve or during one of your treks to upper Himalayas in Ladakh region.
12. Spituk Monastery
Spituk Monastery in Ladakh
Spituk is yet another top attractions to visit in Leh Ladkah, 8 kilometes from the city center.
13. Thiksay Monastery
Thiksay Monastery
One of the most awe inspiring sights near Leh town, Thiksey Monastery is affiliated with the Guleug sect of Tibaten Buddhism. One of the most striking thing about this gompa is its resemblance to the Patola Palace, the residence of Dalai Lama in Tibet.
Located at an altitude of 11,800 feet, this 12 storey structure houses various items of Buddhist arts that include chortens, stupas, thangkas, paintings, murals and artifacts. The monastery also houses the largest Maitreya Buddha statue which rise up to 15 meters covering 2 storey of the building.
14. Trekking
Trekkers in Leh Ladakh
Many adventure seeker head to Ladakh to do trekking in some of the most challenging yet spectacular terrain of Greater Himalayas, Zanskar Padum, Markha Valley, Trans Himalayan and Chadar are some of the popular treks in the region.
