GANGTOK: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off ‘Run for Unity 2024’ on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) organised by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, here at MG Marg Gangtok on October 31.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated on October 31 annually to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, recognising his vital role in India’s independence movement and in unifying the nation.
The Run for Unity is a significant event that promotes national unity and solidarity. True to its spirit, the event witnessed the participation of runners not only from the state, but from across the country and the borders.
The event had two categories which included 21 km Open half-marathon (Men and Women) and 3 km run (Under 16- Boys and Girls). There were cash prizes for top three positions and consolation prizes for runners who finished in the top ten position.
The Chief Minister bestowed the participants with his blessings and words of encouragement before flagging off the Half-Marathon (21 kilometres run) for Men and Women while Minister Raju Basnett flagged off the three kilometre run for U-16 Boys and Girls.
The event had the presence of Mr Raju Basnett, Minister for Education, Sport and Youth Affairs and Law and Parliamentary Affairs; Mr Nell Bahadur Chettri, Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC); Ms Tshering Palden Bhutia, Deputy Mayor GMC; Mr Ravindra Telang, Additional Chief Secretary; Mr AK Singh, Director General of Police (DGP); Mr MT Sherpa Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Officers of Sports and Youth Affairs Department and Officers of various line departments.
The top three finishers of various categories are as follows:
Under 16- 3 Km Run for Girls category:
1st- Ms Schenne Limboo Sichey Senior Secondary School Rs 30,000/-
2nd- Ms Asmi Gurung VCGL Senior Seconary School Ravangla Rs 20,000/-
3rd- Ms Riya Tamang VCGL Senior Secondary School Rs 10,000/-
Under 16- 3 Km Run for Boys category:
1st- Mr Prakash Tamang Enchey Senior Secondary School Rs 30,000/-
2nd- Mr Samir Khadka Sichey Senior Secondary School Rs. 20,000/-
3rd- Mr Kelly Bhutia Tashi Namgyal Academy Rs. 10, 000/-
21 Km Open Half-Marathon run for Women category:
1st- Ms Tam Singh Uttar Pradesh Rs 2 Lakh
2nd- Ms Chandrakala Sharma Sikkim Rs. 1.5 Lakh
3rd- Ms Hilda Jepkemoi Kenya Rs. 1 Lakh
Consolation Prizes of Rs 20, 000/- for 21 Km Half-Marathon run for Women category:
1 Ms Anjali Subba Reshithang Sikkim
2 Ms Neeta Patel Uttar Pradesh
3 Ms Anita Das Jharkhand
4 Ms Swarswati Rai Kalimpong West Bengal
5 Ms Preity Rai Kurseong West Bengal
6 Ms Akansha Singh Uttar Pradesh
7 Ms Meena Kumari Subba Sikkim
8 Ms Bandhana Subba Darjeeling West Bengal
9 Ms Samjhana Subba Darjeeling West Bengal
10 Ms Sabina Rai Khelo India Centre Sikkim
21 Km Open Half-Marathon run for Men:
1st- Mr Mayangam Manipur Rs 2 Lakh
2nd- Mr Raghunandan Singh Uttarkhand Rs 1.5 Lakh
3rd- Mr Pankaj Kumar Uttar Pradesh Rs 1Llakh
Consolation Prizes of Rs. 20, 000/- for 21 Km Half-Marathon run for Men category:
1 Mr Durga Bahadur Budha Reshithang Sikkim
2 Mr Ravi Bijender Haryana
3 Mr Puran Rai Reshithang Sikkim
4 Mr Narendra S Rawat Nepal
5 Mr Bikash Bhujel Kalimpong West Bengal
6 Mr Karan Rawal Nepal
7 Mr Prabal Chettri 3/9 Gorkha Regiment (GR)
8 Mr Ramjan Ali Reshithang Sikkim
9 Mr Bibek Chettri Gorubathan West Bengal
10 Mr Shubham Yadav Uttar Pradesh
The prize distribution ceremony event formed a part of the state celebration of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2024 at Paljor Stadium wherein prizes were distributed from the hands of the Chief Minister later in the day.
The Chief Minister extended his heartiest congratulations to all the winners and also to all the participants for being a part of the Run for Unity, which celebrated unity in diversity and renewed the spirit of national unity.
- IPR Report
