Patna: The streets of Bhagalpur and Madhubani were alive with colour and cheer on Monday as the Mashal Gaurav Yatra, a travelling torch relay promoting the upcoming Khelo India Youth Games 2025, made its way through the districts, receiving an overwhelming welcome from local communities.
The torch relay – equipped with an LED screen and carried by local sports figures – is touring every district of Bihar from April 15 to May 2 to raise awareness ahead of the Youth Games, which are being hosted in the state for the first time from May 4 to 15.
In Bhagalpur, the torch was welcomed with open arms by District Magistrate Dr Naval Kishore Chaudhary and Deputy Development Commissioner Pradeep Singh. At Ramdhari Uchcha Vidyalaya in Tetri-Pakra, school principal Sugandha Prasad Singh led the reception, joined by hundreds of students, athletes and residents in a vibrant show of support.
Madhubani saw a similarly warm welcome at the district sports ground, where District Sports Officer Nitish Kumar and President Award-winning teacher Meenakshi Kumari greeted the torch with flowers. Music teacher Aman Kumar Jha serenaded the gathering with a welcome song, drawing applause from the crowd. The District Kabaddi Association’s Secretary, Manish Kumar Singh, also attended.
Souvenirs including caps, pens and keyrings were distributed to attendees, helping build momentum and making the relay a memorable affair for residents. The event has become a rallying point for community pride, with the campaign slogan “Khelo India – Khel Ke Rang, Bihar Ke Sang” capturing the collective spirit of the movement.
