A first: Kandela khap holds edu contests

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, September 15

A first in the khap history, indicating changing social priorities in Haryana, the Kandela khap, which is one of the most dominant khap panchayats based in Jind, organised educational contests for students of Classes X and XII at Chabutra (their head office) here today.

As many as 10 out of 12 winners in various quiz and writing competitions in English and other educational contests were girl students. The winner students were honoured by Khap leaders in the presence of administrative officers and their kin.

Om Prakash Kandela, pradhan of the Kandela khap, said 100 students participated in the competitions. The panchayat honoured the winner students with Rs 1,500 for attaining the first position, Rs 1,100 for the second position and Rs 1,000 for the third position in the contest.

Rajesh Khoth, SDM from Uchana Kalan subdivision, was the chief guest. He said it was a historic event. “This event exhibits the progressive mindset of khap panchayats. I hope that more such events will be organised by other khap panchayats too,” said Khoth, adding that the step would usher in a positive social change in the rural areas.

Khap pradhan Om Prakash Kandela said studies of the students were affected due to Covid-19. So, they decided to take the step to reconnect children with their studies and instil a sense of competition among them.

He said they would focus on education and sports issues in the villages and organise more such programmes in the future.

Khap panchayat general secretary Raj Singh Kandela said the panchayat had been keeping pace with the changing times and thus, were entering in the phase of promoting changes in society.