NEW DELHI: Government’s FIT recognised Sadhguru-envisioned “Isha Gramotsavam,” which is described as India’s largest rural sports festival, will be taking place this year across seven states, including Odisha, where for the first time the event will be held.A majority of the rural population, which stays away from sports and fitness, will find a space in the “Isha Gramotsavam.” The Isha Gramotsavam is designed exclusively for everyday rural citizens- like farmers, fishermen, daily wage earners, and homemakers- giving them a platform to play and participate. In Isha Gramotsavam, the teams are formed only within the same village panchayat. In the 2025 edition, there will be over 5,000 teams and 50,000 players, including 5,000 women, competing in several games including men’s volleyball and women’s throwball. The games will be held in three stages: cluster, divisional, and the final round will take place at the 112-ft Adiyogi, Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore, on September 21, 2025.Taking to social media platform X, Sadhguru said “This is a Civilization that paid utmost attention to physical and mental fitness. Though Sport has always been a part of this culture, establishing a culture of sport in Bharat is a responsibility that every individual can embrace joyfully. This is the opportunity that #IshaGramotsavam, the largest rural sporting festival in Bharat, offers to our villages where the majority of our population lives.” Elaborating about the initiative, he further added, “Isha Gramotsavam is a celebration of Life through Sport. A game can unite people beyond all social divisions; this is the power of Sport- that it can erase boundaries of caste, religion and other identities with celebratory playfulness. This is not about becoming a competitive sportsperson, but just about being a Sport for life. If you can throw a ball with total participation & involvement, a ball can change the world. May you know the joy of Playing with abandon.”
