Women’s marathon held in Itanagar to mark International Women’s Day

The Department of Women and Child Development of Arunachal Pradesh organised a marathon in Itanagar to celebrate women’s empowerment and honour womanhood ahead of International Women’s Day.

The event featured a 10-km marathon and a 5-km fun run for senior and junior women participants. The run started from the DK Convention Centre at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar and saw participation from women across different age groups.

Nyali Ete, Commissioner of the state’s Home, Information and Public Relations, and Women and Child Development departments, along with Chadan Tangjang, Director of the Women and Child Development Department, also took part in the marathon.

In the competition, Besailu Pul emerged as the winner, while Albina Doley and Yabang Tali secured the runner-up positions.

Speaking to the media, Nyali Ete said the marathon, followed by a cyclothon scheduled for the next day, aims to promote the message of women’s empowerment. She said women are increasingly excelling in various fields and urged them to continue pursuing opportunities across sectors.

Director Chadan Tangjang encouraged women to actively participate in sports and other activities to showcase their strength and talent.

Bahi Koyu, State Nodal Officer of the Mission Shakti initiative, said the event also served as a trial run marathon and urged women to maintain physical fitness. She highlighted that the department, under the leadership of minister Dasanglu Pul, is implementing several welfare schemes for women.

These include the One Stop Centre Scheme for distressed women and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which provides cash incentives to pregnant women and lactating mothers for their first and second live births.

Officials also informed that the department will felicitate women achievers under the Women Achievers Award Scheme during celebrations marking International Women’s Day.