Smiles, Ghee and New Jerseys:
A Morning at Government Middle School, Chahar Majra.

By Shivani Sidhu

At 11 AM on Tuesday, August 18, the ground outside the newly covered veranda at Government Middle School, Chahar Majra looked less like a schoolyard and more like a small celebration. The Kabaddi champions were lined up. Jerseys folded. Kneepads stacked. Bags of almonds and tins of Desi Ghee waiting to be handed over.

The girls' team claimed 1st place in the Mullanpur Zone Kabaddi National Style tournament, triumphing over GSSS Hoshiarpur by nine points in a fiercely fought final. The boys' team secured 2nd place in the same zone. One school. One coach. Two trophies.

Shivani Sidhu, the Founder of Sahyog Sanstha, joined by her mother Usha Sidhu to personally deliver the awards and equipment.

Shivani: "I was thrilled to provide some special healthy snacks for the kids to enjoy and equip them with necessary gear for their upcoming competitions...seeing the joy on the children’s faces was the highlight of the morning. That is what makes all of this worthwhile."

The winning teams were awarded a set of almonds and a tin of Desi Ghee to take back home. This initiative was proposed by Coach Sunil Saini, the school's math instructor, who has subtly become the driving force behind much of the activities here. He recommended nutritious snacks that families could actually utilize in their cooking. Almonds for the children to munch on. Ghee for family meals.

In addition, every team member got a complete set: jersey, shorts, kneepads, and Kabaddi shoes. In the village, Kabaddi is traditionally played barefoot on mud and grass. However, at the district level and above, the game shifts indoors, taking place on mats, and it increasingly resembles a wrestling sport as well as a Kabaddi competition. The shoes are intended for those matches. The children are now equipped with the necessary gear to compete at the next level without having to borrow or improvise.

Sunil Saini was instrumental in making all of this happen. He sourced the uniforms, determined the shoe sizes, and coordinated the snacks—all in addition to his usual teaching responsibilities.

Sunil: "People frequently express a desire to assist, but nobody has taken action to this degree in our school during my time here. The acknowledgment, the new equipment, the shoes, the jerseys, all of it holds significant value. I hope that this inspires other kids to get involved as well. While academic excellence is essential, children also need to engage in physical activity. Any parents with questions about their child joining sports can feel free to reach out to me at any time." He also adds, "this is the first time anyone has ever given nutritional support for our kids"

That last point matters. Some parents in the village worry about their children getting hurt playing sports. It is a fair worry. Over the coming weeks, Sahyog Sanstha plans to bring in outside coaches to speak with parents directly about the physical benefits of sports and how, when done properly, the risk of serious injury stays low. More on that in the next update.

Work on the grounds is also underway as this is being written. Cleanup has started. Fresh dirt is being brought in. The field will be levelled in preparation for the running track that follows. One quiet detail is worth calling out. A group of former students, alumni of this same school, have been coming back on their own time to help. They painted the veranda overhang. They help coach the younger kids. They show up when they are needed. Their names will be in the next post, because a community that raises children who return to lift the next batch up is exactly the kind of community Sahyog Sanstha wants to stand beside.

There is more coming. Sahyog Sanstha is looking at further projects at the school and exploring how to make a difference in other ways. A few children from nearby schools have expressed interest in mentoring and helping with coaching, and that is a conversation Sahyog Sanstha is actively encouraging. Another area on the horizon is technology. In a world where digital skills open doors, the goal is to bring some of that awareness into the classroom. We are also looking forward to our volunteers from other surrounding schools in Chandigarh that are going to be giving their time and spread some of their learnings to the children - we will be setting up some fun hands on camps - more on that in our next article.

Thank you for following us and all of your support.

Shivani Sidhu - Director

It’s not just about studying for exams and getting good grades, although those things are important. Coach Sunil Saini reminds the children that being active, participating in sports, and learning to work as a team are just as important in helping them grow.

What makes Coach Sunil so special is that coaching isn’t even his full-time job. He is actually a Math teacher who chooses to dedicate countless hours of his own time to coaching, mentoring, and supporting these children.

He gives his time, energy, and heart to helping them become not only better athletes, but better, more confident young people. That kind of commitment goes far beyond the classroom, and it is something the children and their families will remember for years to come.

Coach Sunil Saini