JAMMU, APRIL 29: Under the golden haze of a Jammu afternoon, laughter pierced the chaos of adult life, raw, unfiltered and utterly free. Hundreds converged on the sprawling Dussehra Ground in Gandhi Nagar for “Back to Bachpan,” a heartwarming initiative by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K.
This event whisked the participants back to the playgrounds of their youth, reigniting forgotten joys.
“This programme evoked deep nostalgia for the innocence, simplicity and unbridled fun of childhood,” said Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. His eyes sparkled like a child is discovering a cricket ball, as he rallied volunteers, dusted off ancient rules and transformed the field into a living time machine, fueled by his own memories of chasing langris down narrow gullies.
Banners fluttered with the message: Back to Bachpan –Where Joy Had No Price Tag. Families poured in—parents with wide-eyed children, grandparents sharing bubbling tales, young professionals trading briefcases for barefoot sprints.
Hundreds of people joined the “Back to Bachpan” event at Dussehra Ground in Gandhi Nagar on Tuesday. Organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, the programme brought families together to play childhood games. People took part in tug of war and hopscotch, with parents, grandparents and young professionals all joining in. A teacher who played hopscotch said she had not played since Class 3. The event aimed to help adults relive simple joys and take a break from busy routines.
In the game of Kanchey, marbles clinked inside a circle as players placed bets and showed off their skills. Children and adults used their fingers to flick the glass marbles, bringing back the memories of old Jammu bazaars.
The egg-and-spoon race made everyone laugh. Five-year-olds and grandfathers tried to balance the wobbling eggs on spoons. When one egg fell and splattered, the crowd cheered loudly. “That’s the fun of it!” Dr. Shahid said, wiping sweat from his face.
In the Langri Taang relay, players hopped on one leg using wooden clappers. A young boy did a somersault and won the race. After the win, people of all ages came together for a big group hug.
As the sun set and the sky glowed like a childhood evening, strangers turned into friends and worries faded away. A father lifted his daughter for one last tug of war pull and said, “This is what I missed giving you.” An elderly woman held a marble in her hand and said, “Childhood was our real superpower.”
Dr. Shahid exclaimed, “We didn’t just play games today. We reclaimed joy, the pure, unscripted kind no app can replicate.”
Earlier, in her welcome address,. Anuradha Gupta, Director General of Youth Services and Sports, declared ‘Back to Bachpan’ not merely an event but a promise to preserve innocence. She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to the Fit India Mission. She said traditional food dishes hit the stalls today.
Joint Director Youth Services and Sports, Vinakshi Koul extended vote of thanks.
Under starlit skies, the crowd dispersed, leaving Jammu’s spirit forever rejuvenated by the playground battles’ timeless thrill.
