Group photo of the winners with the honourable guests of the event. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / DIIR

Dharamshala: The Department of Health (DoHe), Central Tibetan Administration, commemorated World Health Day (which falls on 7 April 2023) with an open marathon competition in which various competitors took part earlier this morning.

Chief Guest Kunchok Migmar, the Tibetan Settlement Officer of Dharamshala, attended the long-distance running competition, along with Additional Secretary Jampa Phuntsok and Joint Secretary Dekyi Dolkar from DoHe.

The 101 competitors—71 men and 30 women – raced to and fro from the road junction before the Tsuglagkhang complex to Dal Lake. Evgenii from Russia secured the first position, while a Tibetan schoolboy named Lobsang Tengyal and local resident Sahil Kumar sealed the second and third positions, respectively.

Before concluding the marathon competition, Joint Secretary Dekyi Dolkar presented a token of appreciation to the event’s facilitators. Thereafter, the Tibetan Settlement Officer Kunchok Migmar awarded consolation prizes to the ten fastest contenders who passed the finishing line after the first three position holders and appreciation prizes to the youngest and eldest participants. The first three competition winners were accorded prizes by the Additional Secretary Jampa Phuntsok.

The open marathon competition was funded by USAID through The Tibet Fund and was facilitated by DoHe and Delek Hospital staff.

Likewise, six other settlements too have initiated similar marathons namely Bir, Odisha, Herbertpur, Bandhara, Hunsur and Bylkop. The remaining settlements have also carried out various health-related awareness activities as per their situations i.e cycling, football match, health camps, health awareness talks.

On 7 April 2023 the Department of Health hosted a panel discussion, on Tibet.tv with nutritionist Dr. Bianca-Maria as a guest panelist. The conversation focused on the relationship between nutrition, health, and how these interrelate. It was broadcast on several social media sites, including the Department’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

You can view the panel discussion by here. 

Kicking off the competition with elucidation of marathon rules. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / DIIR

Tibetan Settlement Officer Kunchok Migmar cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the marathon race. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / DIIR

Additional Secretary Jampa Phuntsok speaking to the media. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / DIIR

Glimpse of the open marathon race. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / DIIR

Group photo of the participants with TSO and organising team. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / DIIR

At Bir

At Gangtok

At Bylakuppee

At Clementown

At Hunsur 

At Orissa

At Delhi

At Mundgod

At Kollegal