Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, organised a ‘Walkathon’ on the occasion of World Heart Day on Sunday. Over 2,500 fitness enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, budding athletes, students and health professionals across the steel city of Jamshedpur, came together to take part in the walkathon.

Commencing from 6 am from Modi Park (near Keenan Stadium), the walkathon proceeded via Sakchi Goal Chakkar ending at Dhalbhum Club. The walkathon was flagged off by Padmabhushan Prem lata Agarwal — country’s leading mountaineer and Dronacharya Purnima Mahto — country’s leading women archer.

The walk themed ‘Walk for your heart’ is an initiative undertaken by the hospital to create awareness among the populace of Jamshedpur, especially women and children on preventive heartcare. The 1.5 km walk was followed by awareness talks on preventive heartcare by leading cardiologists such as Dr Abhay Krishna, Dr.B. Kumar and Dr. Perwez Alam from the hospital.

Commenting on this initiative, Dr. B Kumar, senior cardiologist, Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, said,” Rapid changes in lifestyle, work-life stress and unhealthy dietary habits have contributed more to heart diseases amongst the elderly, across the globe. The scenario is entirely different in India with almost 25 per cent of the victims of cardiac arrests falling under the age of 40.

Furthermore, a study by the Indian Heart Watch (IHW) has shockingly revealed that among literate middle-class urban Indians, there is a low awareness about the risk factors that lead to Heart Diseases. Therefore, we encourage the citizens of Jamshedpur to take up walking as a habitual practice. “

As a prelude to the Walkathon, Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, had also organized an Inter School Drawing competition on the eve of World Heart Day, wherein students from different schools were invited to participate. 280 students from 38 schools participated in inter school theme based (WHD) drawing competition. This drawing competition highlighted the importance of leading an active life, therefore encouraging activities such as Cycling, Swimming, Walking, jogging, laughing, etc to reduce the risk of heart disease. The winners were awarded a privilege coupon for family Health Checkups.