Indian Hockey Stars Aid in Punjab Flood Relief Efforts

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI): Renowned Indian hockey players Rupinder Pal Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, and former player Jugraj Singh have exchanged their roles on the field for crucial humanitarian endeavors. The sports icons are deeply involved in relief and rescue operations in flood-affected Punjab.

Punjab is currently grappling with one of its most catastrophic flood situations. The calamity has submerged over 1,900 villages across 23 districts, resulting in the tragic death of more than 40 people and affecting over 350,000 residents.

Jugraj Singh, a legendary drag flicker, currently serves as SP HQ, and alongside him, Rupinder Pal Singh, an Assistant Commissioner under training, and Gurwinder Singh Chandi, DSP Khalanaur, are working tirelessly in Gurdaspur district to aid relief efforts.

Jugraj remarked on the collaborative efforts involving the BSF, Army, police, local administration, and NDRF in these operations, describing them as being run on a war footing.

"Our initial priority was the rescue operations, followed by the provision of essential supplies such as food and medicines. We are now conducting medical camps to counter potential disease outbreaks, in collaboration with medical teams and NGOs," elaborated the accomplished fullback.

Jugraj, pivotal to India's Junior World Cup 2001 victory and 2002 Busan Asian Games silver medal win, had his career cut short by a car accident in 2003. He emphasizes that his sporting background assists him greatly in managing the current crisis.

"The ability to make quick decisions on the field is proving invaluable here. Athletes are accustomed to various challenges, which cultivate mental and physical resilience — crucial traits in situations like this," Jugraj reflected.

Rupinder Pal, a key member of India’s bronze medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics and well-known penalty corner specialist, shared that his involvement in relief operations is a starkly different experience from his sporting career.

He is actively participating in relief work in a cluster of eight to nine villages within Dinanagar sub-division, where he has helped evacuate more than 1,500 people since the floods struck on August 26.

"The Gurdaspur district administration acted swiftly post-floods. In my area, several villages such as Makora, Marada, Kahna, Abadi Chandigarh, and others are situated along the Ravi and Ujh rivers, with some close to the Pakistan border. Initially, even tractors and trolleys couldn’t operate due to flooding," Rupinder explained.

He recounted how one incident profoundly affected him, involving a family stranded on their kutcha house roof amidst the over-flowing Ravi river. "With water levels soaring above the height of sugarcane, we, with the NDRF team, ventured against the current by boat to rescue them," he shared, admitting to initial fears quelled by the encouragement of the NDRF team.

Chandi, with 97 caps for India and a participant in the 2012 London Olympics, underscored the essential nature of teamwork. He narrated instances of community aid, such as tending to a snakebite victim, facilitating a wedding, and assisting a pregnant woman to a safe delivery location.

Jugraj highlighted that the most daunting challenges lie ahead, post-floods. "We commence our days early, assessing and strategizing the distribution of relief materials. There's an overflow of aid pouring in from across Punjab, and the task is now ensuring it reaches those in need," he said.

He projected a bleak scenario: "The entire crop has been wiped out, with predictions of 1.5 to 2 years required for the land to become arable again. Additionally, rehousing displaced individuals remains a formidable challenge."

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