Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - City
WHEN THE NATION RAN FOR THE GLORY OF ARMED FORCES
Last Sunday, the Capital witnessed an outpour of love and adulation for the men and women in uniform, as runners from across the country participated in the first edition of Soldierathon
With echoes of ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, coupled with an indomitable spirit to honour those who have sacrificed their lives for the motherland, last Sunday became etched in history. People from across the nation got together at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to salute the armed forces, as part of the first edition of Soldierathon — powered by Hindustan Times.
Organised to commemorate armed forces’ martyrs, the marathon saw over 12,500 runners in categories of 21km, 10km, 5km, and wheelchair, matching steps with soldiers from Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), Indo Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Police forces, families of armed forces personnel and martyrs. Cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Fever 104 Bharat Positive Campaign ambassador Gautam Gambhir, too, lent their support to the cause.
“With the two Param Vir Chakras (PVC), Capt Bana Singh and Sub Yogendra Yadav, flagging off the event with Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Gen VK Singh and Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, we are gunning to change the definition of ‘Hero’ in this nation,” says Major Surendra Poonia, founder, Soldierathon — President Awardee Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
He adds, “Runners came from as far as Siachen, Jammu, and Srinagar. Paraplegic runners ran in the normal category. The atmosphere was so powerful and emotional. A 75-year-old gentleman said, ‘Main zindagi mein kabhi dauda nahin, par is ke liye kahin bhi daud sakta hoon.”
As a mark of gratitude to the soldiers who have suffered permanent disability in service, a sum of ₹17,09,000 was donated to The Paraplegic Centre.
In the first year itself, Soldierathon has gained the third position in terms of subscribers, in Delhi.
For the participants, the event was marked by selfies and hearts filled with pride. Dance performances, ranging from Heroic Warrior Sequences by Divyangs to patriotic sequences by Dance Planet enthralled one and all.
Captain Shalini Singh, wife of Kirti Chakra Major Bhadauria, says, “Events like these reaffirm my belief that people have a lot of love, respect, and faith in our armed forces.”
“The run was exceptionally special because I was running for those who laid their lives for the nation,” says Mona Sharma, a participant. YouTuber Amit Bhadana says, “Main kaafi time se Army ke liye kuch karna chahta tha, as my late grandfather was in the Army. It was a wonderful experience, and I wish to be associated with this initiative in the future as well.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Major Heera Lal Poonia, Indian Revenue Service (IRS), says, “In other marathons, people run to improve their time, but here, everyone ran for the soldiers. Seeing participants from all age groups was a heartening experience.”
Feel absolutely honoured to participate in #Soldierathon , ran 10 kms and had an opportunity to meet two of the biggest heroes of our country, PVC Bana Singh ji and PVC Yogendra Yadav ji. The youth of our country needs to be aware of these amazing heroes (sic).
MOHAMMAD KAIF
CRICKETER