Port Blair, Oct. 21: To mark the upcoming 4th National Ayurveda Day (Dhanwantri Jayanti, 25th October 2019) in the UT, a ‘Run for Health: Ayurveda Daud Swasthya Ki Aur’ was organized by the AYUSH wing of DHS and A & N State AYUSH Society in coordination with Dept of Education & Sports with the theme ‘Ayurveda for Longevity’; and it got an overwhelming response from Islanders.

The run was flagged off by Secretary (Health)/M.D. (NAM), Ms. Kriti Garg, IAS, from Gandhi Statue, Mohanpura in two batches (i.e. Men’s batch at 6.45 am and Women’s batch at 6.50 am). Around 400 athletes including personnel from Police, IRBn, SAI, SSC, ANCOL, Law College, JNRM College and General Public jogged through Clock tower, Dharamshala, Girls School Road, Mazzar Pahad, Corbyn’s Cove Beach and returned to culminate at Football Ground, JNRM. The crowd standing along the track cheered and encouraged the athletes during the course of run.

The winners were received at culmination point and were felicitated at the solemn function which was graced by Principal Secretary (Health), Shri. K.R. Meena, IAS as a Chief Guest; and Secretary Health as Guest of Honour.

Sipahi M. Chandra Sekhar (154, Territorial Army, Bihar), Sipahi Gurumurthy (154, Territorial Army, Bihar) and Shri. Sujit Das (Student of JNRM) secured first, second and third positions in Men’s Category. They were awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/-, Rs. 7000/- and Rs. 5000/- respectively along with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals & Certificates by Pr. Secretary (Health).

In Women’s category, Ms. Ganga Devi (from State Sports Council), Ms. Jamuna Devi (from Athlete Association) and Shri. Amrita Minj (SAI trainee) won first, second and third positions; and were awarded with Rs. 10,000/-, Rs. 7000/- and Rs. 5000/- respectively along with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals & Certificates by Secretary Health.

In his address, the Chief Guest enlightened the significance of Ayurveda for Preventive and Curative health of the society. He also greeted the winners as well as all the participants for completing the run successfully.

Earlier Dr. Kalyan P. Kadbhane, Deputy Director (AYUSH) welcomed the gathering and briefed about the activities of National Ayurveda Day. Dr Rekha, Specialist Panchakarma, proposed the votes of thanks. 

The Run was facilitated by the team of technical experts lead by Dr. UN Choudhury, AD sports, Dte of Sports, and Sh. V. Ranjit Kumar, AD sports, Dte of Edu. And the award ceremony was coordinated by the team lead by Dr. Manabika, M.O (Homoeo), AYUSH Hospital.