On Sunday, more than 15,000 ladies dressed in colorful sarees took part in the ‘Saree Walkathon’ in the textile capital of India to stay fit and promote awareness about women’s empowerment.
Surat is India’s textile powerhouse and is considered a mini-India. Surat Municipal Corporation and Surat Smart City Development Limited collaborated to organize the ‘Saree Walkathon,’ which drew women from throughout the state. Students from many countries studying in Surat from overseas strolled beside them, dressed in traditional Indian costumes and sarees.
Participants were also spotted dancing to Gujarati music played during the event.
Darshana Zardosh, Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, Harsh Sanghvi, Home Minister of Gujarat, CR Patil, State BJP President, and many other dignitaries launched the Walkathon.
According to Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal, around 15,000 women have registered for the event, and ladies from 15 states have traveled here.
“It is a source of pride for India that India won the G20 presidency under PM Modi’s leadership. Today, a saree walkathon has been organized here. Approximately 15,000 women have registered for the event, and women from 15 states have arrived,” stated the municipal commissioner.
A student from Afghanistan who attended the event stated that it demonstrates how women may live healthy lives despite their hectic schedules.
Earlier in the day, on World Health Day, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare held a walkathon in New Delhi.
The event was structured under the topic “Health for All.” The walkathon’s goal was to raise awareness about healthy habits not just to prevent Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), but also to improve mental well-being. The event began at Vijay Chowk and proceeded through Kartavya Path to Nirman Bhawan via India Gate.
Over 350 eager individuals, walking for better health, took part with zeal. They pledged to live a healthy and active lifestyle to prevent and control lifestyle-related health problems/diseases like hypertension, diabetes, mental illness, and cancer.