Bengaluru witnessed a vibrant and inspiring morning as nearly 2,500 participants came together to celebrate International Women’s Day through the RunInRed 2026 Walkathon, jointly organised by Arogya World and Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women (Autonomous), Malleshwaram. The event aimed to raise awareness about women’s health and highlight the growing need to prevent lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and heart ailments.
Participants from different age groups gathered early in the morning, dressed in red to symbolize strength, solidarity, and awareness. The walkathon featured 3 km and 6 km routes through the streets of Malleshwaram, creating an energetic and visually striking atmosphere as the city united for a meaningful cause.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA of Malleshwaram, who flagged off the walkathon at 6:00 am. He was joined by distinguished guests including Dr. Geetha Narayanan, Trustee of mLAC; Rachel Shetty, Team Manager of the India U-19 Women’s Cricket Team; fitness influencers Chetan KS and Mr. India 2023 Ashar; Dr. Abhinandan N of mLAC; and Dr. Meghana Pasi of Arogya World. A special and inclusive moment of the event was the separate flag-off for visually impaired participants from Affectionate Hands and Guide Runners India, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity and equal participation.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan stressed the importance of making health a top priority in modern life. He noted that people often ignore their health until problems arise and called for greater awareness about lifestyle-related diseases.
“We often take our health for granted. This ‘Run in Red’ campaign sends a clear and strong message that we must prioritize our health and create widespread awareness about non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Dr. Narayan also praised the initiative organised by mLAC in collaboration with Arogya World, noting that campaigns focusing on women’s heart health and lifestyle disease prevention are extremely important in today’s society.
In his address, he also paid tribute to Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women, describing it as one of the leading institutions of excellence in Bengaluru. He commended the institution for its long-standing commitment to empowering women through quality education.
“From humble beginnings, mLAC has grown into a premier autonomous institution that has empowered hundreds of thousands of women through education. This extraordinary journey has made a meaningful impact not just in Bengaluru but far beyond,” he said.
In a light-hearted moment that drew applause from the audience, Dr. Narayan remarked that women today are excelling in almost every field, particularly in academics, often outperforming men. “Women are excelling so much that we might soon need to discuss reservations for men in colleges,” he joked, bringing smiles and cheers from the participants.
Concluding his address, he encouraged everyone to carry forward the spirit of the walkathon beyond the event and reaffirmed his support for institutions like mLAC that promote both intellectual growth and physical well-being. He described the college as a guiding light for women’s empowerment in Karnataka.
The programme was organised under the visionary leadership of Dr. Nanda Kulkarni, Principal of mLAC, and Dr. Sharmistha Dutta, Director of mLAC, with strong administrative support from Dr. Annadanaesh B. A. The event was successfully coordinated by a dedicated team consisting of Dr. Abhinandan N, Dr. Sowmya P, Ms. Bhavya, and Ms. Sri Lakshmi, along with enthusiastic support from faculty members and students of the college.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Nanda Kulkarni emphasised the importance of sustaining health awareness beyond a single day. She stated, “Health awareness should not be limited to special occasions. It must become a part of our everyday lives. By choosing healthy food and active lifestyles, together we can build a healthier India.”
Dr. Sharmistha Dutta highlighted the spirit of unity and empowerment that the event represented. She remarked, “RunInRed represents the collective strength, energy, and resilience of women. Today we celebrate not only women’s health but also the leadership and inspiration that women bring to society.”
Speaking about the overwhelming participation, Dr. Abhinandan N noted that the turnout of around 2,500 participants reflects society’s growing commitment to women’s well-being. He stated, “The strong participation today shows that the community recognizes the importance of women’s health. A healthy woman leads to a healthier family and ultimately a healthier society.”
Representing Arogya World, Dr. Meghana Pasi emphasised the organization’s ongoing mission to promote healthier lifestyles and empower women to prioritise their well-being. She said, “Through initiatives like RunInRed, we encourage women to take control of their health and make their well-being a priority in their daily lives.”
The morning’s activities extended beyond the walkathon. Participants enjoyed an energetic Zumba session conducted by Decathlon, followed by a relaxing yoga cooldown session led by the Art of Living Foundation. Health and wellness stalls were set up by Narayana Nethralaya, Bridge Health, and Neuberg Anand, offering basic health screenings and awareness about preventive healthcare.
Participants were also treated to refreshments sponsored by Marriott and Malgudi Chai, along with a nutritious millet-based breakfast provided by Green Path, promoting healthy eating habits.
Each participant received a RunInRed medal and a specially curated goodie bag, which included feminine hygiene products to promote awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. As part of an environmental sustainability initiative, seed balls prepared by the students and faculty of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women were distributed to participants. These seed balls were made using a mixture of soil, compost, and native plant seeds, carefully rolled into small balls that protect the seeds from birds and harsh environmental conditions until they germinate. Participants were encouraged to throw or plant the seed balls in open spaces, parks, roadside areas, and barren land, contributing to urban greening and biodiversity in Bengaluru. The initiative highlighted the message that a healthy environment is closely linked to a healthy society while also providing students with a hands-on opportunity to participate in community-driven ecological conservation.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from people of all ages—from a two-year-old child to senior citizens above 70 years, demonstrating that the message of health and wellness transcends generations.
RunInRed 2026 concluded on a highly positive note, leaving participants inspired to adopt healthier lifestyles. The event successfully highlighted the powerful role that educational institutions and organisations like Arogya World can play in fostering community health awareness, promoting women’s empowerment, and building a healthier society for the future.
Participants from different age groups gathered early in the morning, dressed in red to symbolize strength, solidarity, and awareness. The walkathon featured 3 km and 6 km routes through the streets of Malleshwaram, creating an energetic and visually striking atmosphere as the city united for a meaningful cause.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA of Malleshwaram, who flagged off the walkathon at 6:00 am. He was joined by distinguished guests including Dr. Geetha Narayanan, Trustee of mLAC; Rachel Shetty, Team Manager of the India U-19 Women’s Cricket Team; fitness influencers Chetan KS and Mr. India 2023 Ashar; Dr. Abhinandan N of mLAC; and Dr. Meghana Pasi of Arogya World. A special and inclusive moment of the event was the separate flag-off for visually impaired participants from Affectionate Hands and Guide Runners India, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity and equal participation.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan stressed the importance of making health a top priority in modern life. He noted that people often ignore their health until problems arise and called for greater awareness about lifestyle-related diseases.
“We often take our health for granted. This ‘Run in Red’ campaign sends a clear and strong message that we must prioritize our health and create widespread awareness about non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Dr. Narayan also praised the initiative organised by mLAC in collaboration with Arogya World, noting that campaigns focusing on women’s heart health and lifestyle disease prevention are extremely important in today’s society.
In his address, he also paid tribute to Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women, describing it as one of the leading institutions of excellence in Bengaluru. He commended the institution for its long-standing commitment to empowering women through quality education.
“From humble beginnings, mLAC has grown into a premier autonomous institution that has empowered hundreds of thousands of women through education. This extraordinary journey has made a meaningful impact not just in Bengaluru but far beyond,” he said.
In a light-hearted moment that drew applause from the audience, Dr. Narayan remarked that women today are excelling in almost every field, particularly in academics, often outperforming men. “Women are excelling so much that we might soon need to discuss reservations for men in colleges,” he joked, bringing smiles and cheers from the participants.
Concluding his address, he encouraged everyone to carry forward the spirit of the walkathon beyond the event and reaffirmed his support for institutions like mLAC that promote both intellectual growth and physical well-being. He described the college as a guiding light for women’s empowerment in Karnataka.
The programme was organised under the visionary leadership of Dr. Nanda Kulkarni, Principal of mLAC, and Dr. Sharmistha Dutta, Director of mLAC, with strong administrative support from Dr. Annadanaesh B. A. The event was successfully coordinated by a dedicated team consisting of Dr. Abhinandan N, Dr. Sowmya P, Ms. Bhavya, and Ms. Sri Lakshmi, along with enthusiastic support from faculty members and students of the college.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Nanda Kulkarni emphasised the importance of sustaining health awareness beyond a single day. She stated, “Health awareness should not be limited to special occasions. It must become a part of our everyday lives. By choosing healthy food and active lifestyles, together we can build a healthier India.”
Dr. Sharmistha Dutta highlighted the spirit of unity and empowerment that the event represented. She remarked, “RunInRed represents the collective strength, energy, and resilience of women. Today we celebrate not only women’s health but also the leadership and inspiration that women bring to society.”
Speaking about the overwhelming participation, Dr. Abhinandan N noted that the turnout of around 2,500 participants reflects society’s growing commitment to women’s well-being. He stated, “The strong participation today shows that the community recognizes the importance of women’s health. A healthy woman leads to a healthier family and ultimately a healthier society.”
Representing Arogya World, Dr. Meghana Pasi emphasised the organization’s ongoing mission to promote healthier lifestyles and empower women to prioritise their well-being. She said, “Through initiatives like RunInRed, we encourage women to take control of their health and make their well-being a priority in their daily lives.”
The morning’s activities extended beyond the walkathon. Participants enjoyed an energetic Zumba session conducted by Decathlon, followed by a relaxing yoga cooldown session led by the Art of Living Foundation. Health and wellness stalls were set up by Narayana Nethralaya, Bridge Health, and Neuberg Anand, offering basic health screenings and awareness about preventive healthcare.
Participants were also treated to refreshments sponsored by Marriott and Malgudi Chai, along with a nutritious millet-based breakfast provided by Green Path, promoting healthy eating habits.
Each participant received a RunInRed medal and a specially curated goodie bag, which included feminine hygiene products to promote awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. As part of an environmental sustainability initiative, seed balls prepared by the students and faculty of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women were distributed to participants. These seed balls were made using a mixture of soil, compost, and native plant seeds, carefully rolled into small balls that protect the seeds from birds and harsh environmental conditions until they germinate. Participants were encouraged to throw or plant the seed balls in open spaces, parks, roadside areas, and barren land, contributing to urban greening and biodiversity in Bengaluru. The initiative highlighted the message that a healthy environment is closely linked to a healthy society while also providing students with a hands-on opportunity to participate in community-driven ecological conservation.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from people of all ages—from a two-year-old child to senior citizens above 70 years, demonstrating that the message of health and wellness transcends generations.
RunInRed 2026 concluded on a highly positive note, leaving participants inspired to adopt healthier lifestyles. The event successfully highlighted the powerful role that educational institutions and organisations like Arogya World can play in fostering community health awareness, promoting women’s empowerment, and building a healthier society for the future.
