NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, AUG 24
To ensure the hale and health of its staffers and steam ahead in life, Southern Railway has encouraged them to take part in “Fit India Freedom Run’’, said a top official.
The largest country-wide ‘Fit India Freedom Run’ organised by the Sports Ministry to encourage fitness has begun on August 15. The event was launched by Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju to mark the 74th Independence Day and it will continue till the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.
The participants are encouraged to run at their own pace, anywhere and anytime as per their convenience. This is another endeavour to strengthen the Fit India Movement envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is organised at the individual level as staying fit is the key to building strong immunity which is the need of the hour in order to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In Southern Railway, John Thomas, General Manager, encourages each and every employee to participate in the Fit India Movement.
“As patron of the Southern Railway Sports Association (SRSA), the General Manager Southern Railway has inspired all divisions and departments to organise and ensure participation in this Run. Southern Railway has an excellent track record of producing outstanding sportspersons. On the rolls of Southern Railway are 4 Padmashree, 30 Arjuna and 1 Khel Ratna Awardees in its feather. There are approximately 250 active sportspersons and 21 Coaches who are a part of the Sports fraternity of Southern Railway,” the releases said. Southern Railway believes in fit mind in a healthy body and is supporting this event in full vigour while maintaining social distancing.
The Fit India campaign in Southern Railway is led by John Thomas, General Manager, who along with Dr (Mrs) Bina John, President, Southern Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation are running/walking 6 km each every day and encouraging other Railway Officials and their families to follow suit.
The call from the Railways has seen active participation by all the Divisional Railway Managers in all the 6 Divisions of Chennai, Salem, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram.
Chennai Division
In Chennai, Sports Officers and Arjuna Awardees K Saramma, V Devarajan, along with other officials are actively participating and promoting this special fitness run.
Palghat Division
In Palghat Division, the Golden Girl of India, PT Usha (OSD/Sports) is leading the participants along with International sportspersons Preeja Sridharan, Lijo David Thottan and PU Chitra.
Tiruchirappalli Division
In Tiruchchirappalli Division, International / National Athletes Renjith Maheshwary, Elakiyadasan, Manikanda Arumugam, Chandralekha, VS Surekha are actively taking part in the programmes.
Salem Division
In Salem Division, the event is led by Arjuna Awardee Tintu Luka.
Madurai Division
In Madurai Division, Arjuna Awardee R Chandrasekaran is leading the sportspersons and employees in this Fit India Run.
Thiruvananthapuram Division
In Thiruvananthapuram Division, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee KM Beenamol, and International Sportsperson KJ Kapil Dev, are leading the participants.
Apart from the above-mentioned sports persons of Southern Railway, Arjuna Awardees Joseph Abraham and Geethu Anna Jose (Basketball) from Trivandrum Division, International Athlete & Coach Nizamuddin from Salem Division, Former Indian Basketball Captain Anitha from Southern Railway HQRS, International volleyball players Minimol Abraham from Palakkad Division, and Jyothish, Mukesh Lal from Chennai Division, Former international High jump champion N.Annavi from Tiruchchirappalli Division, are current Southern Railway Sportspersons taking part in the FIT INDIA Freedom Run Campaign and encouraging the participants.
Southern Railway is a staunch promoter of the concept, ‘A Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body – To Stay Fit.’ In its bid to promote sports and sporting activity, 28 International / National level Sportspersons have been given an appointment in various jobs in Southern Railway in the year 2019-20, a release from Southern Railway said.
