FICCI FLO JKL first edition half marathon – sows its seed for change

Jammu: The early dawn saw a large number of enthusiast women, men and children on the lawns of the Amar Mahal Palace doing a warm up session to the rhythm of music fervor and Zumba followed by a flag off at 7.00 a.m. for the 21 Km Half Marathon by Dr. Drakshana Andrabi, Chairperson Waqf Board All India and Founding Chairperson Kr. Ritu Singh along with her core team and distinguished members of FICCI FLO JKL. This was started by a beautiful integration of prayer recited by both FICCI FLO and Dr. Drakshana Andrabi.
This was followed by the flag of the 10 Km Run by Para Rower Ms. Kritika Khanna. The cheering infused the air with gaiety and hues of red as the runners ran the track. The last Flag off of the 3KMs Heritage walk was flagged off by Dr. Shailla Cannie, Principal Shri Mata Vaishno Devi College of Nursing, Katra.
The marathon concluded with a glittering function where FICCI FLO Jammu Kashmir Ladakh presented their vision document about Vriddhi, and unveiled a beautiful depiction in an animated sparkly eyed girl from rural Jammu & Kashmir. The ethos behind this very noble cause is surely going to be a game changer for the fate of the otherwise ignored girl child.
The collaboration of FICCI FLO JKL and NIIT Foundation brings hope for a wonderful future and is envisioned to be a first of this kind in this region. The real life Vriddhi’s hailed from Tikri Village Senthakaran and Amb Village in Block Balwal, were brimming with confidence and excitement and expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards this collaboration.
The Chief Guest of the function was Shri Ranjan Prakash Thakur, principal secretary Industries & Commerce and the other dignitaries were Anoo Malhotra , Director Industries, Ms. Anika Kar, MD JKTPO, Dr. Manu Bhatnagar and Mr. Pradeep Dutta, Bureau Chief Times Now J&K.
The icing on the cake was an inspiring motivation talk by 13 years old Tajamul Islam from Bandipore Kashmir, who has won the world kick boxing championship twice in the under 14 category. She is set to be a mentor for sports for the girl child by FICCI FLO JKL. She was honored by a medal, trophy and a cash prize of 21,000 by the organsiation.
The winners of all 3 categories were presented trophies and goody bags by all the distinguished guests and the ceremony concluded with a soul stirring performance dance performance, based on the Mahishasur Mardini Stotaram by member Nitika Aggarwal.
The setting for the function was iconic as was the hospitality metted out to all those who attended, the surprise element was another initiative soon to be launched “Chakki Charpai’s” finger licking kheer by the village ladies of Umeed block Balwal supervised by BPM Ms. Shruti Uppal.
The compare Dr. Malika Upadhaya kept the crowds in raptures as she took them through the flow of events. FICCI FLO JKL facilitated and thanked all its main sponsors, A.M Hyundai, K C Himalayan Salt, NIIT Foundation, Hari Niwas Palace, Narayana Hospital, Cult Fit, Nimbark, Thyrocare and several others for making this event a grand success.