Thousands run for 'Republic'
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, January 24 2020: Ahead of the auspicious Republic Day celebration 2020, 'Pride Run 2020: Run for the Republic' was held today at Saikul Hill Town.

The event was organized by the Jwalamukhi Battalion under the aegis of Senapati Brigade in collaboration with KSO (Saikul), InSIDE-North East and KWU (Saikul).

Brig Ravroop Singh, SM, Commander 59 Mountain Brigade; Col VM Naithani, Commandant 38 Assam Rifles and Lalithambigai Kalidas, Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi flagged off the marathon, participated by over 2,500 people, from Saikul Block ground.

The race was organised in two categories - 10 km for people above 15 years and 5 km for young people below 15 years, separately for boys and girls.

A flag march was also organised, which saw all participants and locals carrying the national flag while chanting slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and ' Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

While addressing the crowd, Brigadier Ravroop Singh, SM said that the mega marathon race was organised with an aim to promote fitness in the region.

DC Kangpokpi, Lalithambigai Kalidas said that to be mentally fit one has to be physically fit and for fitness sport plays a very important role and the huge turn of young people for the race speak volume that young people in Saikul are healthy.

The DC encouraged the people of Saikul, especially the youths to be career oriented and become productive and responsible citizens while assuring that Saikul will get special attention in terms of development in her administration.

Director of InSIDE-North East, Hejang Misao, who was recently invited by the President of India for interaction at Rashtrapati Bhavan, said that the marathon is a collective and concerted efforts of CSOs, NGO and 38 Assam Rifles to make Saikul in particular and Manipur, in general, a peaceful place conducive for holistic development and imbibe in the young people's mind the importance of discipline, hard work, confidence, time management to become a responsible and productive citizens.

A joint meeting with the civil society organisations of Saikul such as Kuki Inpi, Kuki Women Union, KSO and InSIDE-North East leaders was also held apart from the mega marathon race where the Assam Rifles Commander and DC Kangpokpi were briefed on a gamut of issues that need special attention.

The Brigadier and DC assured the CSOs leaders that they will look into the matter and initiate action whatever is possible from their end.

The winners of the marathon were feted with medal and cash prize by the Brigade Commander, 59 Mountain Brigade and DC Kangpokpi.

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