As part of the National Sports Day 2026 campaign initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, Ramakrishna Mission, Gurugram organised a 5 km run and Major Dhyan Chand Memorial Meeting on Saturday, 29 August 2026. The programme was held under the theme “Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat”, reflecting the campaign’s three pillars—Tribute, Play and Move.
Around 100 participants, mostly school students from various educational institutions in Gurugram, took part in the 5 km run. The run was flagged off from the Gurugram Ashrama at 6:25 a.m. The Gurugram Traffic Police assisted in managing traffic along the route, ensuring the safe conduct of the event. A hydration point was arranged at the halfway mark, providing drinking water to the participants, while an ambulance remained on standby. The run concluded at approximately 7:15 a.m., with no injuries reported.
After returning to the Ashrama, the participants were served breakfast. They then assembled at the Vivekananda Auditorium for a Major Dhyan Chand Memorial Meeting. The programme began with a melodious rendering of Moortha Maheshwara by Swami Riddheshananda, accompanied on the tabla by Br. Ramesh Chaitanya. Swami Shantatmananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Gurugram, welcomed the participants and spoke about the life and achievements of Major Dhyan Chand.
The chief guest, Smt. Pritam Rani Siwach, former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team and recipient of the Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award, shared her inspiring journey from Jharsa in rural Haryana to the international sports arena. She also spoke about her subsequent career as a coach and her efforts to nurture young hockey players through her academy in Sonepat, Haryana.
The programme also highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s emphasis on physical strength and fitness. Recalling his words, “First of all, our young men must be strong,” the participants were encouraged to regard sports and physical activity as important means of developing fitness, discipline, teamwork, resilience and self-confidence. The programme provided the students with an opportunity to learn from the life of Major Dhyan Chand and interact with an accomplished Indian sportsperson.
The National Sports Day observance thus combined tribute to a legendary Indian sportsperson with an active programme for the youth, inspiring them to embrace sports, physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
