Addicts face penalty of 5 dozen bananas in this Punjab village

It is a well-known fact that rules ensure discipline but who knew breaking rules could prove ‘fruitful’ as well. In an interesting addtion to the rule book, members of a sports club in Kila Raipur village have come up with a unique regulation that says those found under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the premises of the sports park will have to pay a penalty of five dozen bananas.

It is a well-known fact that rules ensure discipline, but who knew breaking rules could prove ‘fruitful’ as well! In an interesting addition to the rulebook, members of a sports club in Kila Raipur village in Ludhiana district have come up with a unique regulation that says those found under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the premises of the sports park will have to pay a penalty of five dozen bananas.

Members of the Kila Raipur sports club with the board that explains their ‘bananas’ rule.(HT Photo)

This rule is all set to go into effect from November 5 but hoardings with bananas painted on them have already been prepared and will be put up at the park’s entry gate in a day or two.

Spreading word

Meanwhile, club members are busy spreading awareness among villagers about the rule, not only through word of mouth but also by taking part in village ‘saaths’ (get-togethers of the elderly), panchayat meetings and by roping in all the 16 gurdwaras of the village. “Initially, we were not sure if we should finalise this rule because it was sort of an inside joke. But when we discussed the idea with some NRI villagers who also financially support the club, they said it should be turned into a serious rule because it could discourage the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Majority of the village has appreciated our efforts,” said Paramjit Singh Grewal, one of the founding members of the club.

Bananas for players’ diet

So what happens to these bananas, you would ask? The five dozen bananas collected as penalty will be distributed among players of the club as part of their diet.

“We will also warn rule breakers that if they are caught again they may have to pay a penalty of 10 dozen bananas,” said Bhavjeet Singh and Dilpreet Singh, both members of the club.

They further said this rule might have become the hot topic of discussion among villagers, especially with everyone laughing over it, but added that this was an innovative way to keep the villagers on the right track. Gurpreet Singh, a senior citizen from the village, took a jibe at the rule saying it will benefit the club greatly if such offenders were caught daily.

“The banana treat is assured but as they say variety is the spice of life, so club members could also ask for apples, mangoes, papaya, etc,” he laughed.