Ludhiana: The curtains came down on the three-day annual Kila Raipur Rural Games on Thursday, marked by the historic return of bullock cart racing after more than a decade. The final day’s festivities were headlined by the victory of Kulwant Singh’s bulls from Chinarthal village, Fatehgarh Sahib, which clinched the first prize of Rs2 lakh.Chief minister Bhagwant Mann attended the concluding ceremony, hailing the revival of the races as a victory for Punjab’s cultural heritage. The resumption was made possible by the unanimous passage of the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025′ in the Vidhan Sabha last July, ending a ban that had been in place since 2014.
Following Kulwant Singh, Resham Singh of Tandhari secured the second prize, while Gurinder Singh (Kindi Kullewal) took third place with his bulls, Shehzada and Chotu, winning Rs1.2 lakh. “It is great to participate in these races again after 13 years,” Gurinder Singh noted, referencing the Rural Olympics 2026 being organised for the third consecutive year by the government.CM Mann also met Katari, a 20-year-old veteran bull who, along with 22-year-old partner Manki, had won first prizes in 2012 and 2013. The veteran pair was slated to compete for a 1kg gold prize in 2014 before the races were halted. Owner Jaspal Grewal emphasised that the bulls are now cared for like family elders.“Bulls are an integral part of our heritage; even Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent time farming with them at Kartarpur Sahib,” Mann remarked, framing the games as a “living picture” of the vibrant Punjabi spirit and a tool for cultural continuity.The event saw one minor scare when a participant’s bull slipped while the CM was present. A Kila Raipur Sports Society member confirmed the animal husbandry department conducted an immediate checkup. While the bull was found to be fine, it was withdrawn from the heat for rest and awarded the 8th prize. No other incidents were reported.In other athletic highlights, 50-year-old Gurjeet Singh Lalli drew significant applause by carrying a 200kg load, proving his enduring strength. Lalli claimed that while he used to lift 220kg, he still manages 200kg with ease at fifty.With eye on polls, Mann announces devp, infra worksAddressing the gathering, CM Mann emphasised that his government is “plugging leakages” to spend public money directly on the people. He announced a comprehensive development package for Kila Raipur, including Rs30 crore for the renovation of the Dehlon to Pakhowal road. Announcements also included earmarking Rs 2 crore for a six-a-side hockey astroturf, Rs 1.5 crore to widen the village circular road, Rs 95 lakh for pond development based on the Seechewal Model and Rs 10 lakh for library upgrades and the installation of stadium floodlights.
