Indian Army organises 'The Ultimate Run' to honour 'next of kin'

The Indian Army on Saturday organised an event to honour the next of kin and disabled soldiers at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi. The 'Ultimate Run' was also attended by the Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat and Vice Chief Lieutenant-General MM Naravane who flagged off the event. The two were seen motivating and interacting with Army veterans and participants during the event. 

'We want people to take care of their health and be fit'

"Every year we celebrate October 27 as Infantry Day and we thought of organising a run to mark the occasion. Also, in a world heavily influenced by mobile phones and computers, we want people to take care of their health and be fit. People should take out time in the morning and do some fitness exercises. One must understand that they are not doing it for anyone else but for their own well being. This is our only message," said the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat.

Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar said that the year has been declared as 'the year of next of kin' by the Chief of Army Staff and the infantry directorate. The run has been organised as a tribute to the next of kin and disabled soldiers. Multiple running events of 10 km, 5km, 1.2 km for the next of kin and disabled soldiers were supported by Army Public School students and ASHA school children. Participants came from different parts of the country to participate in the run. Another group of soldiers who incurred disability in the line of duty came from Pune, while Phool Singh, who was paralysed during an Army operation by a bullet, thanked the Army for conducting the event.

Indian Army commemorates 2019 as 'Year of NOK' 

Earlier, on October 5, the Army organised a rally to commemorate 2019 as the 'Year of NOK'. The rally was attended by 400 veterans and the next of kin of martyred soldiers. The focus of the rally was to address the grievances and resolve various anomalies in issues like disbursement of pension, land and legal cases being confronted by veterans and war widows, a spokesman said. 

READ | Hundreds attend veteran and NOK rally in Jammu & Kashmir's Udhampur

READ | Indian Army carries out recruitment drive in Srinagar

READ | Indian Army wishes IAF on the ocassion of 87th Air Force Day

(With ANI inputs)