SHIMLA, JUNE 8: Sanjauli emerged as 
one of the busiest hubs of Shimla on Monday as Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated a new multi-purpose sports stadium and announced an additional grant of ₹1 crore for further development of the historic ground.
But beyond the celebrations, a bigger question loomed over the event: can local leaders now motivate the area's youth to leave behind the growing culture of drug abuse, roadside hangouts and hidden dens, and embrace sports and fitness?
The ₹3.18-crore stadium, equipped with an open playing field, hall, kitchen and other facilities, was inaugurated amid much fanfare.
The Chief Minister also launched Himachal Pradesh's first "Chitta Awareness Volleyball Tournament," a symbolic attempt to link sports with the fight against the state's escalating drug menace.
Addressing players and spectators, Sukhu announced ₹1 crore for the further improvement of the Sanjauli ground, a Primary Health Centre for the area and district-level fair status for the Sanjauli Holi Mela. He also unveiled the tournament trophy and declared a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for the winning team.
As 13 teams from across the state marched past and took a pledge against drug abuse, the event highlighted the government's growing concern over narcotics, particularly among the youth. However, many residents believe that infrastructure alone will not solve the problem.
The challenge now shifts to local MLA Harish Janartha, municipal councillors and community leaders. The new stadium provides the infrastructure, but creating a sporting culture will require sustained efforts to bring youngsters out of dhabas, drug hotspots and idle street corners and onto the playing field.
The Chief Minister reiterated the state's commitment to sports promotion, saying Himachal Pradesh was actively pursuing the hosting of Khelo India events.
He highlighted enhanced cash awards for international medal winners and promised a new policy to encourage national-level athletes. He also announced that a ₹10-crore stadium was under construction at Ghatasni near Shimla.
Recalling his own school days as a sportsperson, Sukhu said the government had increased diet allowances for athletes to ₹400 per day for competitions within the state and ₹500 per day for events outside Himachal. Air travel facilities have also been extended for journeys exceeding 200 kilometres.
MLA Harish Janartha described Sanjauli ground as one of the oldest sporting venues in the region and said the long-pending demand for a modern sports facility had finally been fulfilled.
He termed sports promotion and drug prevention among youth as one of the government's key priorities.
The real test, however, begins after the inaugural ceremony. A gleaming stadium now stands in Sanjauli.
Whether it becomes a vibrant centre of sporting excellence or merely another government structure will depend on how effectively the community can channel its youth away from the lure of drugs and towards the discipline of sport.
#Shimla #SanjauliStadium #DrugFreeHimachal #SportsForYouth
