Boxing Transforms Lives of Underprivileged Youth in Kolkata

Underprivileged youth in India’s Kolkata City are taking boxing lessons from a former national champion. It’s part of an effort to keep them away from crime.

[Tapan Kumar Basu, Former National Boxing Champion]:
"This area is a disturbed area. The boys here - both Bengalis and non-Bengalis - are taking to the wrong life. Murders, black-marketeering and a host of other anti-social activities take place here. Then I thought through boxing they could find new direction, reach a good place, fight and establish themselves in life. That's why we started boxing here."

A decade ago, former national boxing champion Tapan Kumar Basu set up a boxing ring, where young boys between the ages of 10-25 were given training every evening.

[Joginder, Boxer]:
"I’ve been playing here for past three years. Yes, we have benefited from boxing… we have learned discipline from our trainers. At this age we are lured to crime, but after getting training, we have found new opportunities. We are a getting chance to play at the national level, also."

Over the years, about 70 youths have found employment through boxing, and many have become state-level and national-level boxers.