India Tribune Newsdesk
Chicago: The first-ever global edition of the Viksit Bharat Run 2025, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), unfolded across more than 150 international locations on September 28, 2025. Held under the theme “Run to Serve the Nation,” the event marked a historic moment as it brought together the Indian diaspora, local communities, students, professionals, and friends of India in a collective celebration of service, fitness, and sustainability.
The initiative, part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada (17 September – 2 October), aimed to inspire collective action toward nation-building and reaffirm commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Community runs of 3–5 km were organised at iconic and accessible locations worldwide, drawing enthusiastic participation from cities such as Bangkok, Beijing, Beirut, Bishkek, Doha, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Rome, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Perth, as well as locations in Bhutan, Switzerland, and Tanzania.
In the United States, the event was marked by enthusiastic participation in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, where the Indian diaspora joined hands with local communities in vibrant displays of solidarity and commitment. In Washington, D.C., the Embassy of India, in collaboration with MY Bharat, organised a community run in Maryland. The event witnessed participation from students, professionals, families, and local residents, who came together not only for fitness but also to reaffirm their dedication to service and sustainability. Participants also took part in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign by planting a tree at the Jain temple in Maryland, symbolising the responsibility of individuals towards environmental preservation and contributing to a greener planet.
In New York, the Indian American community, organised the Viksit Bharat Run in New Jersey, highlighting India’s development journey, innovation and the enduring India–US friendship. Special appreciation to Sri Sai Datta Temple, NJ for hosting the event and for spearheading the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative.
In Chicago, the Consulate General of India successfully hosted the Viksit Bharat Run 2025 at Twin Lakes, Palatine, drawing nearly 100 runners, including volunteers and representatives from 15 community organisations. The event transformed into a powerful expression of collective duty, embodying the ideals of Seva Bhav (spirit of service) and echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. A significant moment came with the collective recitation of the Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat pledges, uniting participants in their commitment to contribute toward India’s developmental journey. The “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative also saw active participation, with saplings planted both at the Twin Lake Park and at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, where over 100 participants, including children, joined the cause of environmental stewardship.
The Consulate General of India in Los Angeles, jointly with the MY Bharat, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, will organise the Viksit Bharat Run 2025, on 28 September 2025 at Don Knabe Community Regional Park, 19700 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703, as part of Seva Pakhwada, celebrated as Seva Parv, which reflects Seva Bhav and collective responsibility (17th September - 2nd October 2025).
Hundreds from across the Bay Area came together to celebrate unity, service, and their bond with India as part of Seva Pakhwada, with Consul General in San Francisco Dr. Srikar Reddy leading the community in taking the Viksit Bharat pledge.
In Atlanta, GA State Senator Shawn Still, Mayor of Johns Creek John Bradberry & Padma Shri Dr. Dhananjay Diwakar Sagdeo joined Consul General in flagging off the Run, with active support of SEWA International and Indian community associations.
The event underscored not just physical fitness but also broader values of inclusivity, sustainability, and global responsibility. Indian Missions worldwide collaborated with cultural organisations, community groups, and local bodies to ensure wide participation and highlight India’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, technology, and education. The runs became vibrant platforms for diaspora engagement, enabling deeper connections between Indians abroad, Persons of Indian Origin, and local communities.
High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, captured the essence of the initiative by emphasising that the event was about more than just running. It symbolised the spirit of service and the image of Indians as a community that contributes meaningfully wherever they live. Participants across continents reaffirmed their role in India’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047, while also committing to serve and enrich the countries they now call home.
From London and Paris to New York, Sydney, and beyond, the Viksit Bharat Run 2025 embodied the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “the world is one family.” By combining pledges for a self-reliant India with green initiatives like the plantation drive, the run seamlessly linked personal responsibility with national progress and global sustainability. What began as a fitness activity evolved into a movement of unity, service, and hope, uniting the global Indian community in a shared aspiration to contribute to a brighter, sustainable future for both India and the world.
