The Golden Beach Festival at Chandipur-on-sea began on Thursday with an 11-km marathon torch run by Major Nitin Joshi, an Army officer, who has a Guinness Book of World Record to his credit.
He ran from Fakir Mohan Golai to the Chandipur beach, the spot where a statue of APJ Abdul Kalam would be erected holding a torch in one hand and the National Flag on the other. A bicycle rally followed him.
After garlanding the statue of Fakir Mohan in the circle, the run began at around 4.30 pm
Baleswar MP RK Jena, local MlA Jiban Pradip Dash, festival committee secretary Bismay Mohanty and other members of the committee were present during flagging off of the rally.
“This marathon run is to promote national integration and encourage the youths to join Indian Army. And above all to popularize the unique Chandipur beach. Army makes a common man to gentleman and gentleman to superman. One can find enjoyment in the challenging service by showing proving his talents and potential,” Major Joshi said.
He is known as Ice man, Iron man and also known s Gujarat’s Milkha Singh.
This is 18 year for the beach festival hosted in Chandipur beach by the festival committee with the support of district administration and the State Government. The event would conclude on Sunday after an attractive crackers show while each evening there would be meetings and cultural programmes.