Fit India Andaman Nicobar Khel Mahotsav: A Celebration of Sport and Culture

Port Blair, August 15 (PTI): The Fit India Andaman Nicobar Khel Mahotsav commenced here on Friday, ushering in an exciting array of inter-school competitions in athletics, football, volleyball, and indigenous games. This vibrant festival also showcases cultural performances that celebrate the rich diversity of the union territory.

Running until August 31, the event features a variety of activities, including beach sports, kayaking demonstrations, rope skipping challenges, and mass fitness drills. There's also a strong emphasis on promoting health awareness through anti-drug and health awareness drives, as noted in a release from the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The opening ceremony at Netaji Stadium was marked by the symbolic flag-off of three Olympic-style 'Flame of Fitness' torches by Lieutenant Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Admiral DK Joshi. These torches, representative of the principles of 'Excellence, Friendship, and Respect', are set to traverse the union territory's sprawling districts.

In a remarkable gesture, each torch will journey through one of the three districts, carried by distinguished athletes: former footballer Anand Lawson in Nicobar, former para-national gold medallist Prachi Toppo in South Andaman, and former India canoeist and kayaker Regina Kiro in North & Middle Andaman.

Adding a distinctive touch, the handcrafted torches are adorned with the Cellular Jail silhouette, engravings of a dugong and hornbill, and a mangrove-root motif. These torches will travel by land and sea, reaching the remotest areas of the archipelago and covering extensive kilometers.

Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, remarked, "It's an opportunity to celebrate and reinvigorate the culture of sport in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, encouraging participation at every level and fostering pride in our unique heritage."

Amar Jyoti, Regional Director of SAI Kolkata, added, "Har Dweep, Har Kinara, Khele Sara Dweep Hamara is not just a tagline -- it reflects the essence of a healthy and active life for every islander."

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