Kolkata, 10th December, 2025: FTS Yuva, the youth wing of Friends of Tribals Society (FTS), proudly announces the 7th edition of its flagship fitness and community event, the Ekal Run, scheduled for 4th January 2026 at Godrej Waterside, Kolkata. This year, the run will be inaugurated by India’s badminton icon and Olympic medalist, Saina Nehwal, a sporting legend with 24 international titles and a historic bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.
The Ekal Run, known for attracting thousands of fitness enthusiasts, remains dedicated to promoting health, community participation, and its core mission—supporting the education of rural and tribal children through the Ekal Vidyalaya initiative. The 2026 edition will feature diverse race categories including 21km, 10km, 5km, and a 3km fun run, inviting participants of all ages and fitness levels to join the cause.
Speaking about the event, Mr. Rishabh Saraogi, President of FTS Yuva, Kolkata Chapter, said, “We are immensely honored to welcome Saina Nehwal as the inaugurator of the 7th edition of the Ekal Run. Her remarkable achievements symbolize the spirit of resilience and empowerment that this event represents. Ekal Run is not just about fitness—it supports the noble cause of educating rural children across India. We look forward to another impactful edition that unites communities for a greater mission.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Gaurav Bagla, National Coordinator of Ekal Run, added, “Ekal Run is more than just a marathon—it is a collective stride toward shaping a brighter future for rural India. Having Saina Nehwal inaugurate this edition brings immense inspiration to our participants and reinforces our mission of empowering communities through education.”
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Over the years, the Ekal Run has evolved into a movement, rallying public support to fund the education of rural and tribal children across India. Each edition strengthens the collective commitment to building a more educated and empowered rural landscape.
About FTS:
Friends of Tribals Society (FTS) is a non-profit, non-governmental, and voluntary organization dedicated to uplifting underprivileged rural children. They currently run 49,203 One Teacher Schools—“Ekal Vidyalaya”—providing non-formal education to 15,19,721 children in remote villages across India. With a focus on holistic child development, FTS also works toward transforming entire villages. Headquartered in Kolkata and operating through 37 chapters nationwide, FTS is a proud recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize 2017, awarded by former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
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