Dy CM Arun Sao leads 10,000 youth in ‘Namo Yuva Run’ on PM’s birthday
🏃Youth vow for fitness and drug-free India
🏃♀️Winners honoured with cash prizes up to Rs 25,000
🏃International and national players given front-row respect
By : Akshay Lahre
Raipur : Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Arun Sao flagged off the ‘Namo Yuva Run’ at Telibandha Talab, Raipur, organised on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday. Over 10,000 youth participated in what turned out to be a historic run, where Sao himself ran shoulder-to-shoulder with participants, urging them to embrace sports and shun drugs for building a strong, fit, and self-reliant India.
The run, organised under the ongoing ‘Seva Pakhwada’, was aimed at spreading awareness among young citizens to stay healthy, energetic, and drug-free. Addressing the gathering, Sao said, “A developed India by 2047 is possible only if every youth remains fit and free from addiction. In despair, choose the playground, not intoxication. Sports fill life with positive energy.” He credited Prime Minister Modi for transforming India’s sports culture through initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India Movement, motivating athletes and youth to stay connected to the field.
The ‘Namo Yuva Run’ concluded at Subhash Stadium in Raipur, where a vibrant closing ceremony took place. Sao honoured winners and underlined the significance of youth participation in nation building. In the men’s category, Arjun Rai secured first place, Akshay Kumar second, and Chandraprakash third. In the women’s category, Vanshika Patel won the top spot, followed by Rukhmani Sahu and Chanchal Yadav. The first three positions in both categories received Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000, and Rs 10,000 respectively, while fourth and fifth place winners got Rs 5,000 each, and those finishing sixth to tenth were given Rs 2,000 each.
Adding a special touch, Sao ensured that international and national athletes were seated in the front row on the dais and felicitated them. Among those honoured were weightlifter Rustam Sarang, hockey player Mrinal Chaubey, footballer Kiran Pisda, and volleyball player Dipesh Sinha, along with several Bastar Olympic icons. Sao himself joined them in distributing prizes to the winners, setting an example of respect for sportspersons.
The Deputy CM also monitored preparations for the Bilaspur leg of the ‘Namo Yuva Run’, which began from CMD College ground and concluded at River View Road. He convened meetings with youth organisations, sportspersons, and officials to ensure successful execution, later congratulating Bilaspur’s youth for their spirited participation.
The nationwide ‘Namo Yuva Run’ was organised simultaneously in 75 cities, including Raipur and Bilaspur, symbolising the message of fitness and unity across India. In Raipur, several leaders and dignitaries including Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, MLAs Motilal Sahu, Purandar Mishra, Anuj Sharma, and State Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Srivastava participated in the run. The programme also saw the presence of Raipur Zilla Panchayat President Naveen Agrawal, SSP Dr Lal Umed Singh, Municipal Commissioner Vishwadeep, Sports Department Director Tanuja Salam, Chhattisgarh Olympic Association General Secretary Vikram Sisodia, Athletics Association’s G S Bambra, Canoeing and Kayaking Association’s Prashant Raghuvanshi, besides a large number of college students, sportspersons, and officials.
The ‘Namo Yuva Run’ thus emerged not just as a marathon but as a symbolic national movement promoting health, youth power, and the vision of a drug-free India.
