The much awaited mini marathon, organized by KIIT-DU annually with the motto of ‘Education for All’, was held today across all districts of Odisha and various cities in India and abroad.
This year, the marathon was held in 37 locations across Odisha and more than 65 places across India. A special segment of this event, called “Pattathon,” was uniquely conducted in Bhubaneswar.
In its second edition, held from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, the Pattathon witnessed the participation of 6,000 women running while wearing traditional sarees. Organized with the themes of “Women Empowerment” and “Education for All,” the Pattathon featured women employees of KIIT, KISS, and KIMS, along with women from various parts of the state. The participants ran from the Shikharchandi Temple Square to the KISS Athletics Stadium.
Kiran Mahato from Rourkela secured the first prize of Rs 50,000, while Tejaswini Kispatta and Sasmita Behera from Cuttack won the second and third prizes, receiving Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively. Seven runners-up were awarded Rs 10,000 each. Additionally, all winners were gifted traditional sarees.
The event was organized by K-3 Ladies Club of KIIT. Smt. Surama Padhy, Hon’ble Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly; Smt. Sulochana Das, Hon’ble Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation; Pritinanda Routray, Corporator; and athlete Dutee Chand & Anuradha Biswal participated in the event along with Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT, KIMS & KISS; Prof. Saranjit Singh, VC, KIIT-DU; and Prof. J R Mohanty, Registrar. They motivated the women participants and presented the awards.
Since its inception in 2016, this marathon has been conducted annually under the initiative of Dr. Achyuta Samanta to raise awareness about ‘Education for All’.