Saina Nehwal leads 5,000-strong crowd in Kolkata – This run is changing lives!

Speaking to the media, Rishabh Saraogi, President of FTS Yuva, Kolkata Chapter, said the Ekal Run has evolved into a meaningful movement that combines physical fitness with social responsibility.

“Ekal Run has grown into a powerful movement that blends fitness with purpose. This year’s edition reaffirmed our belief that collective efforts can create meaningful change. Every step taken today contributes towards educating children in the remotest parts of India. We thank every participant, volunteer, and supporter for being part of this impactful journey,” he said.

Gaurav Bagla, National Coordinator of Ekal Run, highlighted the significance of Saina Nehwal’s presence at the event.

“Having Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal inaugurate the seventh edition of Ekal Run is a moment of immense pride and inspiration for all of us. Her presence energized thousands of participants and reinforced the message that sports, discipline, and education together can drive meaningful social change. We are deeply grateful for her support in advancing our mission of educating children in rural and tribal India,” he said.

Friends of Tribals Society (FTS) is a non-profit, non-governmental voluntary organization dedicated to the upliftment of underprivileged rural and tribal children across India. The organisation operates 45,352 ‘Ekal Vidyalayas’ (One Teacher Schools), providing non-formal education to 1,198,088 children in some of the country’s most remote villages.

FTS focuses on the holistic development of children and aims to uplift entire villages through education-driven initiatives. The organisation operates through 37 chapters across India, with Kolkata serving as its headquarters.

FTS is also a recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize 2017, which was conferred by the then President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.