Bhubaneswar: Like every year hundreds of people gathered early in the morning today at OSAP 7th battalion ground in Bhubaneswar to run for a common cause of creating awareness about HIV AIDS among common people at OTV Mini Marathon organised on the occasion of World AIDS Day.
Many well known personalities of Odisha from different fields joined this noble initiative by Odisha Television Limited. DGP RP Sharma flagged off the race in presence of Lok Sabha MP Prasanna Patasani, Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, police commissioner YB Khurania, mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Olympian Anuradha Biswal, former Indian football captain Sradhanjali Samantaray, mountaineer Kalpana Dash, singers Bishnu Mohan Kabi, Aseema Panda and actors Sabyasachi Mishra, Elina Samantaray, Sambit, Bidusmita among others.
Speaking to odishatv.in, Sradhanjali Samantaray said, “I come here every year. I am really delighted to be a part of this great initiative. Many people don’t know about AIDS even now. Coming here they will learn something and also spread the awareness among others.”
“OTV’s marathon is an event which is hosted every year and I am very happy to come here. This is a good initiative to make the youth aware about AIDS,” said Anuradha Biswal.
People from all walks of life enthusiastically took part in the marathon. There were no prizes or rewards for the participants excelling in the race but despite that they were energetic enough to push themselves to participate in the race for a great cause so early on a winter morning.
“I am very happy to run for a cause here. I ran the entire distance from start to finish. Campaigns like this will help people to know more about a dangerous disease like AIDS,” said Arati, a participant.
Ollywood celebrities performed at the venue after the marathon.
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