President Droupadi Murmu virtually flagged off the President’s Bodyguards (PBG) Soldierathon from the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces while encouraging greater public participation in recognising the service and sacrifices of military personnel.
The event, organised under the theme “Supporting Real Heroes – the Armed Forces of India”, was conducted at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment. It aimed to strengthen the bond between civilians and members of the Armed Forces through the message, “Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers.”
President Releases Special Postal Cover
During the ceremony, President Murmu also released a Special Postal Cover to commemorate the Soldierathon. The event was attended by General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.), Governor of Mizoram, who serves as the patron of the initiative.
The ceremonial flag-off highlighted the importance of recognising the dedication, courage and sacrifices made by India’s soldiers while promoting greater public awareness and participation in initiatives that support the Armed Forces.
Soldierathon Promotes Civilian-Military Bond
The PBG Soldierathon has been organised to strengthen the relationship between civilians and the Armed Forces by encouraging people from all walks of life to participate alongside serving personnel and veterans.
The initiative honours the service and commitment of Indian soldiers while inspiring citizens to express solidarity through active involvement in community sporting events.
Three Race Categories for Participants
The Soldierathon featured race categories designed to encourage participation across different age groups and fitness levels.
| Race Category | Distance |
|---|---|
| Fun Run | 3 km |
| Short Distance | 5 km |
| Main Race | 10 km |
The multiple race formats allowed individuals of varying fitness levels to participate while supporting the broader objective of honouring India’s Armed Forces.
Proceeds to Support Soldiers’ Welfare
According to the President’s Secretariat, the proceeds generated from the Soldierathon will be utilised for several welfare initiatives benefiting members of the Armed Forces and their families.
- Support for the Armed Forces Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre.
- Welfare of the wards of battle casualties.
- Other welfare initiatives for serving and retired soldiers.
- Support for the horses and troops of the President’s Bodyguards.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to contribute to the welfare of soldiers and their families while recognising the invaluable role played by the President’s Bodyguards and other branches of India’s Armed Forces.
Encouraging Public Participation
Through the Soldierathon, organisers sought to inspire greater civilian engagement with the Armed Forces by providing an opportunity for citizens to participate in a meaningful event dedicated to the country’s military personnel.
Held under the theme “Supporting Real Heroes – the Armed Forces of India”, the event served as both a tribute to India’s soldiers and a platform to raise awareness about welfare initiatives supporting military personnel, veterans and their families.
President Murmu Flags Off PBG Soldierathon from Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Droupadi Murmu virtually flagged off the President’s Bodyguards (PBG) Soldierathon from the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to honouring the courage, sacrifice and dedication of India’s Armed Forces. The initiative aims to strengthen the bond between civilians and military personnel while encouraging public participation in supporting the welfare of soldiers.
The ceremony was attended by General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.), Governor of Mizoram and patron of the Soldierathon initiative. During the event, President Murmu also released a Special Postal Cover commemorating the occasion. While the flag-off took place virtually from Rashtrapati Bhavan, the run itself was organised at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment.
Theme Focuses on Honouring India’s Armed Forces
This year’s Soldierathon was organised under the theme “Supporting Real Heroes – the Armed Forces of India”, highlighting the invaluable service rendered by members of the Indian military. The event promotes the vision of “Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers”, encouraging citizens to actively express gratitude and solidarity with those serving the nation.
Organisers said the initiative serves as a tribute to the dedication, bravery and sacrifices made by soldiers while creating opportunities for civilians to engage directly with the Armed Forces through fitness and community participation.
Race Categories Encourage Public Participation
The Soldierathon featured three race categories designed to accommodate participants of different age groups and fitness levels:
- 3 km Run
- 5 km Run
- 10 km Run
The multiple race formats allowed professional runners, fitness enthusiasts, serving personnel, veterans and members of the public to participate together in the nationwide tribute.
Funds to Support Welfare of Soldiers and Veterans
According to the President’s Secretariat, proceeds generated through the Soldierathon will be directed towards welfare initiatives benefiting the Armed Forces community.
The funds will support:
- The Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre of the Armed Forces.
- Welfare programmes for the families and wards of battle casualties.
- Various soldier welfare initiatives.
- Maintenance and care of the horses and troops of the President’s Bodyguards.
The initiative reflects continued efforts to enhance support systems for injured soldiers, veterans and military families while raising public awareness of their contributions to national security.
Event Reinforces Civil-Military Partnership
The PBG Soldierathon has evolved into more than a sporting event, serving as a platform to strengthen the relationship between civilians and India’s Armed Forces. By combining fitness with public participation, the initiative seeks to honour military service while generating resources for welfare programmes that directly benefit serving and retired personnel.
President Murmu’s participation and the ceremonial release of the commemorative postal cover underscored the national importance attached to recognising the sacrifices of India’s soldiers and supporting initiatives dedicated to their well-being.
