Haryana Day 2017: Celebs root for a brighter future for the state

Celebrities from across fields, share their fond memories of growing up in the state and their vision for the same, this Haryana Day.

Historic battles ( the epic battle of Kurukshetra and the three battles of Panipat), rich cuisine, a vibrant culture, talent across fields, including actors Randeep Hooda and Rajkummar Rao, and wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Yogeshwar Dutt, boxer Vijender Singh, World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, are some of the things that sum up the state. On Haryana Day, today, marking the 51st birth anniversary of the state, various celebrities from across fields share their proud associations with and vision for the state.

On Haryana Day today, celebrities such as wrestler Sakshi Malik, Yogeshwar Dutt, boxer Vijender Singh, actor Yashpal Sharma and singer Sonu Nigam, share their proud associations and vision for the state.

Singer Sonu Nigam reminisces his fond days spent growing up in Faridabad.

Proud of my roots in Haryana

Singer Sonu Nigam, who was born in Faridabad in Haryana, says, “I am very proud of having my roots in Haryana. I feel people [there] are very straightforward. Haryanvis are a strong, well-built people. And they are already making India proud in sports and other fields. The house that I was born at [in Faridabad] is still there.” The 44-year-old recalls, “Faridabad was a very quiet place earlier. I recently went there, kaafi crowded ho gaya, bahut ladkiyan ho gayi hai [unlike earlier]. We lived right opposite the Baake Bihari Mandir and would go there as kids for prasad. I have lots of fond memories, from [playing] gilli dunda and cricket, [to] climbing up trees.” The singer notes on a different note, “There is a little bit of patriach culture there, jo nahin hona chahiye.”

Actor Yashpal Sharma shares his plans of making a film on Pandit Lakhmi Chand, a poet from Haryana. (Manoj Dhaka/HT Photo)

Want to take the state’s cinema and arts forward

Actor Yashpal Sharma who is set to make a biopic on Pandit Lakhmi Chand (A poet from Haryana), says, “Jaise Punjabi cinema, Marathi cinema hai, waise hi yahan ke cinema ko upar uthaana hai. Jab rangmanch upar uthta hai, toh state ko achchi pehchaan milti hai. Abhi tak humein agriculture ke naam se jaana jaata hai. Agriculture, mein humare krishak bahut achcha utpadan karte hai. I am proud of that. Yahan Army ke liye bahut jazba hai. Har maa yeh sochti hai mera beta fauj mein jaaye. Bahut saare kalakar yahan se gaye hai aur yahan ke ladke aur ladkiyon ne sports mein poori world mein naam kamaya hai (Just like Punjabi and Marathi cinema, I want the state’s cinema to reach new heights. Every mother wants her son to join the army. The state has produced great acting and sporting talent, too).

Wrestler Sakshi Malik (Amal KS/HT Photo)

Haryana is working to end gender discrimination

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik,” says she’s proud to represent the state in sports, across the world. “Bahut proud hoon ki main Haryana se belong karti hoon. Haryana ke khaane mein jo dum hai, woh aur kahin jaake feel nahi karte. Humari government sports ke liye itna achcha kaam karti hai. Haryana sports mein bahut tarakki kar raha hai. Aur aage aane walo saalon mein, hum aur aage jaayenge. Jo ladka-ladki mein bhed-bhaav tha, uska percentage level kam ho gaya hai. Aur aage aane wale time mein khatam ho jayega (The strength that the food we find here provides, is hard to find anywhere else. The state is going places, as far as sports is concerned. The government, too, encourages sporting talent at the grassroots. I’m proud of the fact that we are working on ending gender-based discrimination).

Yogeshwar Dutt says his goal is to give the nation, a better wrestler then him. (Getty Images)

My aim is to produce a bigger wrestling talent then myself

“The people of Haryana are not just simple in nature, but fearless, too,” says wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt. I am proud of the culture that the state has. Haryana has just given sporting stars, but desh ki din-raat raksha karne waale jawan aur dharti ko dhan-dhanya se paripoorn karne wale kisaan bhi diye hai. I have always strived to bring laurels to my motherland through my efforts. And I will continue to do that, till the time I have strength in my body. On Haryana Day today, I have arranged a wrestling competition where wrestlers from across the country are invited. Mera lakshya desh ho apne se bade pehelwan dena hai (My goal is to give the nation a better wrestler than myself).

Indian boxer Vijender Singh (PTI)

Education system should be strengthened in the state

Boxer Vijender Singh, feels that even though the state is doing well when it comes to sports, the education system requires yet more improvement. “Sports is very big in the state, but in terms of education, we need more universities and colleges,” adding that unlike common perception, Haryanvis are soft-hearted and polite people. “Haryana mein aap kahin bhi jaoge, you’ll find different cultures, environments and people,” says Singh, who is set to open a boxing academy in the city.

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