Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 13: Gram Panchayat Shivapuram organised the “Shivapuram Marathon 2026” with great enthusiasm as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations. Registration began at 5:00 AM. Chief Guest Mr. Deepanshu Vohra, Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, separately flagged off the 10-km Boys’ Marathon at 5:40 AM and the 5-km Girls’ Marathon at 5:45 AM, in the presence of Special Guest Mr. Pradeep Kumar Singh, BDO Rangat.
The marathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from 101 boys and 55 girls. In the boys’ category, J. Ram secured first position with a timing of 37 minutes 03 seconds, followed by Aseem Khujur with 39 minutes 56 seconds and Sujal Patro with 40 minutes 24 seconds. In the girls’ category, Phool Kumari secured first place with 24 minutes 14 seconds, followed by Navya with 24 minutes 55 seconds and A. Priya Gudiya with 27 minutes 04 seconds.
The first-place winners received ₹5,000 cash and a trophy/plaque, second-place winners received ₹3,000 and a trophy/plaque, and third-place winners received ₹2,000 and a trophy/plaque. Participants securing 4th to 13th positions were awarded medals along with ₹500 cash prizes.
The celebrations also featured a welcome song and patriotic group dance performances by students of St. Mary’s School, GMS Padmanapuram, Government Senior Secondary School Siyafonala and PM SHRI JNV Panchawati. The Gram Panchayat honoured all participating school cultural groups with prizes in appreciation of their performances.
Addressing the gathering, BDO Mr. Pradeep Kumar Singh congratulated the Panchayat, PRI members, police personnel, medical team, schools, volunteers and participating youth. He highlighted the importance of Independence Day and appreciated such community initiatives for promoting patriotism, awareness and a sense of responsibility towards the nation, especially among the younger generation.
Mr. Venkateswar Rao, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Shivapuram, said that the marathon was organised to celebrate Independence Day as a festival while promoting patriotism, unity, fitness and active participation of youth and the community.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. K. Ravi Kumar, Panchayat Secretary, who expressed gratitude to all departments, Panchayat staff, sanitation workers, PRI members, police and medical teams, participating schools, volunteers and participants for their valuable support in making the event a grand success.
