Rahul Gandhi sets out on Pachmarhi jungle safari:Advises Congress district chiefs to stay grounded among people, not in circles of power, during training camp

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, spent two days in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh, attending a district presidents’ training camp, interacting with their families, and participating in a jungle safari. He mixed serious discussions with fun learning, performed push-ups as a ‘punishment’ for being late, demonstrated Jujutsu techniques, and spoke on topics from party organisation to India’s foreign policy. Rahul also plans to garland Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, unveiled by his father Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, before leaving for Bhopal and Bihar on Sunday. Jungle safari before departure On Sunday morning, Rahul Gandhi set out for a jungle safari in Pachmarhi. According to Congress sources, he travelled 10 km from Pachmarhi to Panarpani Gate with a convoy. From there, he switched to an open jeep for the safari. Training camp at Hotel Highland A day earlier, Rahul Gandhi addressed a district presidents’ training session at Hotel Highland. The session was part of the Congress training programme led by Sachin Rao, head of the party’s training department. When Rahul arrived late, Rao jokingly said that anyone who comes late must accept a punishment. Rahul asked, “What do I have to do?” Rao replied, “Ten push-ups.” Smiling, Rahul did the push-ups, and district presidents joined him. The two-and-a-half-hour session followed a relaxed, interactive “learn-by-fun” format. Lessons through Jujutsu Later, Rahul Gandhi changed into a Jujutsu uniform and gave a practical demonstration to district presidents. He showed how to maintain a strong grip on the ground, saying that true strength comes from staying grounded among the people, not from flattering leaders. He said, “If you let go of the ground, your grip weakens. Real strength doesn’t come from circling leaders. It comes from strengthening your hold among the public.” On performance and evaluation During the session, several district presidents expressed concern that their work might not be properly evaluated.Rahul assured them, “Don’t worry about reporting and evaluation. I will personally keep an eye on your work. Focus on your responsibilities; the party will take care of your concerns.” Teaching how to face challenges Using Jujutsu, Rahul demonstrated how to stay steady under pressure. “If someone is hitting you, don’t react. Embrace them. Keep your grip strong so they can’t distract you,” he said.He also invited four district presidents to the stage to show how they could strengthen their political base on the ground. Talk on foreign policy Speaking on India’s position between global superpowers, Rahul said, “India is becoming a puppet between America and China. One day, China may attack through Pakistan or directly.”He added that in the United States, “It’s not the President who is powerful, but the army.” ‘Critics are my teachers’ Rahul Gandhi said that those who criticise him are his gurus (teachers). “People speak against me to distract me. Similarly, if someone speaks against you, ignore them and keep working at the grassroots. Success will follow,” he told the leaders. Family interactions Rahul Gandhi spent time meeting the wives and children of district presidents. He clicked individual photos with each family, and asked the children about their education, exam preparation, and future goals.A district president said, “For the first time, it feels like we’ve come to meet family, not just for political training.” Senior Congress leaders attend Senior leaders including former CM Digvijaya Singh, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, State Congress President Jitu Patwari, Kamleshwar Patel, Arun Yadav, Dr. Govind Singh, Kantilal Bhuria, and Ashok Singh were present at the event. Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Rahul was scheduled to visit Gandhi Chowk from Pachmarhi’s helipad to garland Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, unveiled by Rajiv Gandhi on 29 June 1989. However, due to a delay, he went straight to Hotel Highland instead.Local Congress workers were unhappy that he skipped the visit on Saturday, but Rahul will offer floral tributes to Bapu on Sunday morning before leaving for Bhopal.Sonia Gandhi had also garlanded the same statue in 1998. Sunday schedule Video on children’s plight Before leaving Delhi, Rahul Gandhi posted a video on X showing children eating mid-day meals on garbage piles in Vijaypur, Sheopur.He wrote, “These are the same innocent children whose dreams hold the country’s future, yet they don’t even get a plate to eat with dignity.”