Bhubaneswar: Thousands of enthusiastic people from different sections of the society irrespective of age and gender ran for the OTV Mini Marathon – Run towards life organised by the Odisha Television Ltd (OTV) today here on occasion of the World AIDS Day.
Students, youth, sportsperson, cine stars and politicians reached the KIIT Stadium at an early morning today to participate in the OTV Mini Marathon. The eight-km mini marathon route, from the KIIT Stadium to the 7th Battalion ground, was dotted with runners wearing white T-shirts provided by the OTV.
Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and Police Commissioner YB Khurania flagged off the OTV Mini Marathon at the KIIT Stadium in presence of eminent sportspersons such as Dutee Chand, Amiya Mallick, Saina Salonika and Anuradha Biswal and OTV Director Jagi Mangat Panda.
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Addressing the gathering Police Commissioner YB Khurania said, "We are standing here in solidarity with 78 million people suffering from HIV and also remember 35 million people who have lost their lives because of HIV. At a time when the United Nations has set a goal for 2030 for elimination of HIV, I must congratulate the OTV for organising the mini marathon on the occasion of the World AIDS Day to help in spreading awareness on the disease."
At the seventh battalion ground, the end point of the mini marathon, a band performance was organised which was attended by some front-runner cine stars including Babusan.
Earlier, the Aerobic team of the Bhubaneswar Health Club performed at the KIIT stadium before the start of the mini marathon.