Bhubaneswar: At an age, when a kid is yet to learn to recognize faces and adapt to the world around, Sambhav Swabhiman Nanda, a 72 days young infant created a history in running in India by becoming the youngest participant in any official running event in India. In a Record Attempt, Sambhav (Official BIB Number: 80303) accompanied by his father Ajay Kumar Nanda ran as the youngest participant on a stroller for 5KM stretch in the 2nd edition of SBI Green Marathon here in the Temple City Bhubaneswar.
In the second edition of SBI’s Annual Flagship Program “SBI Green Marathon” promoted by the largest public sector bank of the country – State Bank of India, Sambhav with official BIB number 80303 joined on his stroller with his father to promote sustainability. The event witnessed more than 3000 enthusiastic participants from all across India and flagged off by Smt. Praveena Kala (CGM, Bhubaneswar Circle), Shri Devi Shankar Mishra (GM), Shri Goutam Bhattacharya (GM), and Shri Pushan Mahapatra (MD & CEO, SBI General Insurance Company). Among the other dignitaries, Mr. William Xalxo, Olympian, Indian Hockey Team, Ms. Anuradha Biswal – National Record holder for 100m Hurdles, Ms. Sradhanjali Samantaray – former Captain, Indian Women’s Football Team and Mr. Pabodh Tirkey, former Captain, Indian Hockey Team graced the event.
The Sunday morning witnessed participants from across the country running 5, 10, 21 KMs Marathon pledging for a greener future inside the Kalinga Stadium Campus in Bhubaneswar. Other senior officials of SBI and its subsidiary organizations also ran along with the runners promoting ‘Run for Green’. All the participants were offered organic T-Shirts and plantable BIBs with seeds inside, while extensive care was taken to make this event a ‘Zero Waste Event’.
Sharing his experience on this occasion, Sambhav’s father Ajay Nanda says, – “Though ‘kids in lightweight strollers’ with kids is quite popular in some parts of the world, it is yet to be accepted at large among the running community in India. I have seen people running with kids on strollers in Dubai Marathon, even in Boston and other Marathons. This has encouraged me to run with my infant kid in SBI Green Marathon in Bhubaneswar. I extend my sincere thanks to my better-half Lopamudra Pati Nanda and especially my parents and my Club – BCAC for encouraging such a bold step to run with a 72days young infant on a stroller for a Record Attempt. I am sure this will encourage others to come out with their kids to run such recognized marathons in India.”
Sambhav Swabhiman along with his father Ajay Nanda completed his Record Attempt over the 5KM stretch with an official timing of 45:32 minutes in this running event. It is worth mentioning that Sambhav Swabhiman Nanda is the first child of Lopamudra Pati Nanda and Ajay Nanda, who was born on 21st of November 2018.
SBI in the next one month is also rolling out its Green Marathon in Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Patna, Kolkata and Jaipur. It has already conducted nine such Green Marathons in New Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Guwahati, Bhopal and Chennai in the last 4 months. SBI General Insurance is the health partner for SBI Green Marathon whereas SBI Life, SBI Mutual Funds and SBI Card are also significantly contributing to this zero waste event.
Ajay and Lopa’s bold decision and Sambhav’s Record Attempt is expected to change to outlook of running community to run along with their kids and infants in various running events in the country. This way they can not only motivate the kids about fitness from an early age, but also set a trend of healthy and positive living for all.
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