The Friends of Tribals Society’s youth arm, FTS Yuva, held its annual flagship event, the Ekal Run, at Godrej Waterside in Kolkata.

Over 5,000 people participated in the timed race (21 km, 10 km, and 5 km) and non-timed/fun run (3 km). Every age group took part in the run.

The Ekal Run was inaugurated by Saina Nehwal, the First Indian Badminton Player to win an Olympic Medal, Mukesh, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar, Rahul Dev Bose, Actor, Debadrita Basu, Actress, Payel Mukherjee, Actress, Sajan Bansal, Ramesh Saraogi, Ramesh Maheshwari, Rupa Agarwal, Rakesh Jhunjhuwala, Bulaki Das Mimani, Manoj Modi, Kishan Kejriwal, Mahendra Agarwal, Praveen Agarwal, Subhash Murarka, Anil Kariwala, Manoj Kumar Chetani, Vikash Poddar, Vinay Chugh, and many others.

Rishabh Saraogi, President of FTS Yuva, Kolkata Chapter, said, “Ekal Run has developed into a potent movement that combines purpose and fitness. This year’s edition confirmed our conviction that significant change can be achieved through group efforts. We are grateful to all of the participants, volunteers, and supporters who have joined us on this important trip. Every action taken today helps educate children in the most distant regions of India”.

Thousands of people were electrified by Saina Nehwal’s presence, which also powerfully reaffirmed the idea that education, discipline, and sports can all work together to create significant societal change.

Priyanka Dutta