Munish Sood
Mandi
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports marked International Women’s Day by organising an athletics competition under the Asmita League initiative at Padhar in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Saturday. The event, held through the Mera Yuva Bharat platform, aimed to encourage women and girls to actively participate in sports and promote their physical and mental empowerment.
The programme featured 100-metre, 200-metre and 400-metre race competitions, drawing participation from school students, young girls and women from surrounding villages. The initiative focused on creating greater awareness about sports among women and inspiring them to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.
Professor Anupama Singh attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, she highlighted the vital role played by women in shaping society and emphasised that respect and empowerment for women should not be limited to symbolic celebrations on a single day.
She said that ensuring equal opportunities, dignity and participation for women in every sphere of life must remain a continuous effort throughout the year. Prof. Singh also called upon the youth to take an active role in bringing positive change in society and supporting initiatives that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Under the competition format, girls below 13 years participated in the 100-metre race, while the 200-metre race was organised for participants in the 13 to 18 years age group. Women aged 18 years and above competed in the 400-metre race, with participants displaying enthusiasm and competitive spirit during the event.
Apart from the athletics competitions, the programme also featured cultural performances, adding colour to the Women’s Day celebrations. A large number of local women took part in the event, including representatives from around 20 to 25 Mahila Mandals, along with ASHA workers and students, contributing to the success of the programme.
Organisers said the initiative was aimed at strengthening grassroots participation of women in sports, boosting their confidence and encouraging them to remain physically active. They also expressed hope that such programmes would motivate more women and girls to take part in sports and community activities in the future.
