PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Ex-serviceman and athlete Kalam Singh Bisht, who hails from Chamoli district, has been providing free training in various activities to local residents, especially young adults, intending to enhance their skills and keep them away from the unbearable activities involving drug addiction and other issues. He also actively competes in various national and international-level competitions, having won The Hajal Ultra Trail race (120 kilometres) in Oman during December last year.
Bisht informed that he hails from Mundoli, a border village in the Dewal Tehsil of Chamoli district. He served in the 4th Garhwal Regiment of the Indian Army. After retiring from the army in 2012 following 16 years of service, he dedicated his life to social work and adventure sports.
He said that after retirement, he enrolled in various courses, including rafting, mountaineering and tourism-related studies. With this training, he aims to share his knowledge and skills with others. In 2023, he founded an unregistered organisation called the Mundoli Riders Club. In this club he provides free training for the development of Himalayan women, poor and underprivileged children and villagers. Currently, approximately 370 students are receiving training through the club, which includes members aged five to 40 years.
Bisht further informed that the club is based in Mundoli. He organises various camps in different villages throughout the district, running one-week programmes in different villages to educate children about running, competitive examinations, self-defense and other skills. After conducting these camps, he counsels the children to determine which activities they enjoy the most. Based on their interests, he identifies the skills they want to develop and has rented spaces in various villages where he provides training in different activities, including badminton, cycling and more, he said.
Bisht informed that he used to travels between villages for training regularly. The training offered through the club includes mountaineering, self-defense, preparation for competitive exams, music, dance and public speaking, among others. The training is provided free of charge every day and the club’s main objective is to emphasise the importance of the mountainous region while steering young adults of the region away from drugs and excessive use of mobile phones. Through this initiative, participants understand how to enhance their skills within their own region and appreciate their surroundings, he said.
Bisht further said that he finances the club by using parts of his pension and cash rewards he earns from winning various competitions, such as marathons. Some of his friends also contribute to his efforts.
