Tribal kids from MP make it to Yoga Olympics

Two tribal kids from Talawali high school, 10 km from the district headquarters, have been selected in the junior team for the World Yoga Olympics to be held in New Delhi in February 2017.

Two tribal kids from Talawali high school, 10 km from the district headquarters, have been selected in the junior team for the World Yoga Olympics to be held in New Delhi in February 2017.

The selection was held during the National Yoga Championship in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where their performance saw Madhya Pradesh get the bronze medal.

But Rekha Bhuria, student of class 7, and Udai Singh Khaped, of class 9, who are children of daily wagers, are so poor that they often swoon out of hunger while practicing the various yoga poses.

“We do not have enough food to fill our belly,” says Rekha. Even going to Coimbatore for the selection was a challenge as they had no money. “Some local public representatives made arrangements for our tickets,” Udai said.

But their trying circumstances have not deterred their spirit and both are confident of their capabilities. “We can bring medals for the country, but we need a bit of government support,” says Rekha.

Jhabua collector Ashish Saxena, when told about the young talents’ predicaments, promised, “I will inquire and do my best to help them.”