In Pune, Maharashtra, Shri Damunanna Dateji and Shri Shripati Shastri organized a meeting with workers from all districts of Maharashtra on September 9, 1990, at Modern High School, Ganesh Khand Marg. During this meeting, they proposed the name of the organization as “Kreeda Bharti.”
After a series of discussions in 1991 and 1992, the founding executive committee, bylaws, and other formalities were completed. Following the application for registration, the Maharashtra government issued the registration documents on December 4, 1992, granting permission to operate nationwide. As Kreeda Bharti’s work gained acceptance in society, it officially commenced during the Hanuman Jayanti festival.
On June 28, 2009, a meeting of workers was held at Peth High School in Nashik in the presence of Shri Madandas Ji Devi and Shri Lakshman Rao Pardikar. During this meeting, the following was announced for the All India Executive Committee:
Honorable President: Shri Chetan Chauhan (Delhi)
Vice President: Shri Narayan Singh Rana (Dehradun)
Working President: Shri Mukund Ambedkar (Pune)
General Secretary: Shri Raj Chaudhary (Pune)
Minister: Shri Sanjay Tiwari (Dhanbad)
Treasurer: Shri Kamalakar KshirSagar (Dombivli)
Members: Shri Ramesh Bondre (Pune), Shri Deepak Lele (Sangli), Shri Sharad Godse (Pune), Shri Govind Malse (Pune), Dr. Ganesh Ketkar (Mumbai), Shri Nepa Murali (Kerala), Shri Shrikant Dharmadhikari (Mumbai), Shri Vikas Agarwal (Meerut), and Shri Ramanand Chaudhary (Jaipur). Shri Lakshman Rao Pardikar was also given the responsibility of communication for Kreeda Bharti.
In October 2012, Shri Lakshman Rao was appointed as the Working President in place of Shri Mukund Ambedkar. He served as the All India Working President until his last breath in October 2015. After Shri Lakshman Rao, Shri Chaitanya Kumar Kashyap (Ratlam) currently holds the position of All India Working President.
Activities of Kreeda Bharti
Kreeda Kendras:
The concept of “Kreeda Kendras” in the development journey of Kreeda Bharti emerged from the idea of “a playground in every village.” The work of Kreeda Bharti is clearly visible in these centers. Athletes and every individual from society are encouraged to forget their age, education, and gender and to come to the playground to play a sport of their choice daily, thereby contributing to a healthy and strong India.
Surya Namaskar Training:
Trained workers are required to conduct Surya Namaskar sessions. For this purpose, workers are trained at the state and district levels. These trained workers go into society to create awareness, conduct training, and organize programs related to Surya Namaskar.
Programs of Kreeda Bharti
To awaken health awareness among athletes and the general public, as well as to instill joy and a sense of nationalism, the following programs are organized:
Establishment Day (Hanuman Jayanti):
The establishment day is dedicated entirely to organizational activities. On this day, all workers, members, and stakeholders gather. Various games and competitions are organized for everyone present. The aim is for every athlete and worker, as well as all Indians, to embody the values of Lord Hanuman in their conduct. This also marks the beginning of a new year for the organization, during which various units review the past year’s activities and prepare plans for the upcoming year. New members and workers are acquainted with the organization’s working style and objectives.
National Sports Day (Major Dhyan Chand Jayanti):
National Sports Day is celebrated annually on August 29 in honor of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, a national icon in Indian sports. His singular efforts led India to victory in hockey during his time. This day is a celebration of national pride, where everyone in society views sports as a means to enhance national honor. Various sports organizations collectively organize friendly and encouraging competitions, and all attendees are informed about the lives of patriotic sports figures.
On this day, Kreeda Bharti organizes various sports competitions to encourage individuals to embody the spirit of patriotism that athletes like Major Dhyan Chand represent, fostering the sentiment that athletes should play not just for medals, but to represent the nation.
Kreeda Gyaan Pariksha:
Various organizations in India conduct knowledge competitions in different fields. This exam is held online, where boys, girls, youths, and adults can participate after registering within a specified time. This examination tests the participants’ knowledge of their respective sports. All participants receive an e-certificate, and the top scorers under the age of 25 are awarded prizes, promoting interest in sports knowledge.
Jijamata Samman:
Jijamata was the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. She played a significant role in shaping Shivaji’s character, instilling a sense of pride and determination in him. Her influence on Shivaji’s life was profound, as she was a strong follower of Hindutva. By drawing parallels between Jijamata’s sacrifices and those of an athlete’s mother, the Jijamata Samman is awarded to mothers who nurture and support developing athletes, thereby inspiring society and mothers who might discourage their children from pursuing sports.
Yoga Day and Surya Namaskar Programs:
Yoga Day Program:
Yoga is promoted not only among Indians but also globally, under the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” In 2015, the United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. Every year on this day, various units organize yoga programs in collaboration with sports institutions and educational bodies at different public venues.
Surya Namaskar:
Surya Namaskar consists of seven asanas dedicated to Lord Surya, the sun god. This was one of Kreeda Bharti’s initial programs. From Makar Sankranti to Surya Saptami, collective Surya Namaskar sessions are organized across various locations with the support of sports and yoga organizations.
Other Programs
Ultra Relay Marathon:
In 1997, an Ultra Relay Marathon was organized from Shaniwar Wada, Pune, to Gateway of India, Mumbai, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Independence. Seven winning teams received trophies, cash prizes, and gifts, with notable participation from tribal communities.
Dr. Hedgewar Trophy Kabaddi Competition:
A national kabaddi competition was held in Aurangabad, featuring 54 teams from various states, helping to spread Kreeda Bharti’s message throughout the country.
Seminars:
In 1998, a workshop was organized at the Kalina campus of Mumbai University, emphasizing the establishment of a separate sports university and the concept of “a playground in every village.” In the Golden Jubilee year of Independence, a seminar on “Not only Physical Education but Sports Should be Made Compulsory as a Core Subject in Schools” was held in Dombivli, Thane. This seminar had significant participation from various states and was attended by the Governor of Goa.
National Conventions:
The first national convention was held in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, from December 25-27, 2012, with approximately 650 attendees. This event also featured various sports competitions and led to the agreement to launch the “Empowered Women – Fearless Women” campaign.
The second national convention was organized in Jaipur, Rajasthan, from December 25-27, 2015, which included national-level kabaddi and tug-of-war competitions and announced the “Healthy India – Empowered India” campaign.
The third national convention took place in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, from December 28-30, 2018, with the presence of the revered Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, who guided attendees on various topics.
The fourth national convention was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from December 16-18, 2022. The program emphasized the need to create interest in sports among children and to keep them away from mobile phones, along with training for women athletes.
From its establishment in 1992 to the present, Kreeda Bharti has successfully made its mark from state to national levels, expanding its reach to over 500 districts across all 29 states and 45 provinces in India.
Motto: “Kreeda Vrittya Sadachar, Rashtradevo Kriti Yuva” (Creating sportsmanship and ethics in the sports world) and “Kreeda Se Nirman Charitra Ka, Charitra Se Nirman Rashtra Ka” (Building character through sports and fostering a sense of nationalism through character).
