Bhubaneswar: Department of Sports and Youth Services of the Government of Odisha organized a historic Heritage Mass Run in the capital’s Ekamra Kshetra on the fifth day of the Odia Pakhya celebrations. The event commenced at 5:30 AM from the courtyard of the Mukteswar Temple, a masterpiece of Odia architecture.
The run followed a scenic route through the heart of the city’s heritage zone, starting from Mukteswar Temple and passing through Rameshwar Temple, Vivekananda Marg, Utkal Kanika Galleria Mall, Lewis Road, BJB College, and Ravi Talkies Square, eventually concluding at the Rajarani Temple. Thousands of participants, including athletes, youth, persons with disabilities, and local citizens, joined senior officials to pledge their commitment to the preservation and promotion of Odisha’s rich cultural legacy.
In the competitive segment of the run, Chandan Samal secured the first position, while Siddharth Kumar Mishra and Vijay Agrawal claimed the second and third spots, respectively. The winners were honored with medals and felicitations. Additionally, the Department of Sports and Youth Services presented medals to all participants to recognize their spirit and involvement in the initiative.
Attending the event as the chief guest, the MLA Ekamra Bhubaneswar Shri Babu Singh emphasized that the mass run was more than just a sporting event; it was a significant effort to reconnect the younger generation with their roots. He noted that the state’s ancient temples and monuments are symbols of Odia identity and that protecting them is a collective moral responsibility.
He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj for spearheading such campaigns that link the youth with the glorious history of their land.
The event saw the presence of several high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including Sports and Youth Services, Secretary Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Additional Secretaries Shri Ashok Kumar Panda and Shri Bijay Kumar Swain, Olympian Shrimati Anuradha Biswal, and popular Odia actress Sangita Shibani.