Col Krishan Singh Badhwar, SM Created History by running 750 KM to Celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav

 

India Gate 

To commemorate the 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements, Col Krishan Singh Badhwar, SM had taken a great initiative. He ran 75 kilometers each day for 10 days and covered a total distance of 750 kilometers from India Gate, Delhi to Lok Bhawan, Lucknow. 

Col Krishan Singh Badhwar, SM is the commanding officer of 90 UP NCC Bn, ultra-runner, and a world record holder. He was the HDOR winner of 2021, brand ambassador of Doon Valley Marathon, 2022, and has completed 101 consecutive ultra runs. 

The run was organized by Mr. Ravi Kumar, founder, and CEO at Ambhos and the Youngest Marathon Organiser. He is awarded the Young Scientist Award, featured in the book "100 Inspiring Leaders of India" and is also a mentor at StartUp Uttarakhand, Govt of UK. 

Gen VK Singh, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh & Col Arvind Jha ( Left to Right )

Among the dignitaries who gathered for the flag-off on August 6, 2022, the first day of the 750KM run,  included the Union Minister Gen  V.K. Singh (Rtd)(PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC), Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Lt. Gen Gurbirpal Singh (AVSM, VSM), DG NCC and Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, DGMO and Col of Rajput Regt. The event was anchored by Col Arvind Jha, the Sports Psychologist to Indian Contingent for individual sports in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and is also associated with the Army Sports Institute. They marked a very positive beginning of the 750KM run by flagging off Col Krishan Singh Badhwar, SM, from India Gate. Army unit runners, civilian runners and the NCC cadets of 3 UP Bn, 4 UP Bn, 2 Delhi Naval unit, and 1 Delhi Naval unit ran alongside Col KS Badhwar for 5 -10 kilometers to support him. He covered a distance of 80.6 kilometers in 10.43 hrs. For the halt after the first day, he reached NCC headquarters of Meerut, where he was given a warm welcome by the officials and celebrated the 80 kilometers of the first day. 

On the second day, Col KS Badhwar was flagged off from Meerut at 06:45 am. He then started his run towards Muzaffarnagar and was accompanied by the Jawans of 25 Rajput Bn and 70 UP Bn NCC cadets for 5 kilometers to start the run. On his way, Col Krishan Sir was given a warm welcome by the officials and staff of the Toll Gate and the patrolling team of NHAI. He covered a distance of 80.8 kilometers in 10.4 hrs. On reaching the destination of the second day, Col KS Badhwar was heartily welcomed by the Union Minister and MP of Muzaffarnagar, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan. For the halt, Col KS Badhwar was invited by him and his family to his residence. 

On the third day, Col KS Badhwar was flagged off from Muzaffarnagar at 06:15 am. The officials and the cadets of 82 UP Bn NCC ran with him for a few kilometers to support him. He was also accompanied by Muzaffarnagar police on the way. He covered a distance of 75.16 kilometers and reached Saharanpur. 11 kilometers before reaching the destination, he was accompanied by NCC cadets who encouraged him by cheering and singing songs. Upon reaching Saharanpur, there were 200+ cadets to welcome him.

On the fourth day, Col KS Badhwar was flagged off by Stn Cdr, Saharanpur, Col Rakesh Sharma. He, then started his run towards Haridwar in which he was accompanied by the officials and the cadets of 26 UP Bn NCC who ran with him for a few kilometers to support him. On the way, he was also welcomed by the officials and staff of the Bhadrabaad toll plaza, Haridwar. He covered a distance of 75.11 kilometers in 13.25 hrs. On reaching the destination, he was given a warm and traditional welcome by Patanjali University Haridwar and NCC Haridwar. 

On the fifth day, Col KS Badhwar was flagged off from Haridwar by AO Col Deep Rana at 07:45 am. To support him, on the way, the cadets of 31 UK Bn ran alongside him for a few kilometers. He was welcomed by the officials of Puraini Toll Plaza under PIU Najibabad. He covered a distance of 75.11 kilometers in 13.28 hrs and reached Dhampur. 

On the sixth day, the officials of 32 UP Bn NCC flagged Col KS Badhwar from Dhampur. The officials and cadets ran a few kilometers to support him. After covering a distance of 75.2 kilometers, he reached Moradabad in 13.45 hrs and received a warm welcome. 

On the seventh day, Col KS Badhwar was flagged off from Moradabad by Col Sachin Rastogi. He then started another day towards Bareilly in which he was accompanied by the NCC cadets of 23 UP Bn. He covered a distance of 75.5 kilometers in 14.7 hrs and reached Bareilly. 

On the eighth day, Col KS Badhwar was flagged off from Bareilly by the commanding officer, Col Aman Negi, and the administrative officer Col Sudhanshu Dixit of 21 UP Bn NCC. The officials and cadets accompanied him for a few kilometers to support him during his run towards Shahjahanpur. He covered a distance of 100 kilometers in 16.93 hrs. 

On the ninth day,  Col KS Badhwar was flagged off from Shahjahanpur. As an emblem of their patriotism, the people of the prison of Shahjahanpur, who are nearing the end of their earthly life, prepared a flag. It was collected by Col Vijay, the CO of 25 UP Bn, and presented to Col Krishan Singh Badhwar, SM. He then started his run towards Sitapur and was accompanied by the cadets who supported him by running a few kilometers with him. He covered a distance of 50.31 kilometers in 7.95 hrs. 

The collective efforts of these nine days had left Col Krishan Singh Badhwar with the last 50 kilometers to reach Lucknow. On August 15, 2022, he started his run from 22 UP Bn NCC Headquarters, Sitapur. He hoisted The National Flag at a toll plaza on his way towards Lucknow. At around 4 pm, Col Krishan Singh Badhwar, SM had completed 750 kilometers and reached Lucknow where he was flagged in by Col Sandeep Singh, the CO of 4 Rajput unit and was given a grand welcome by the Jawans of 4 Rajput unit. Among the people who were there to welcome him included Col Arvind Jha and many of his friends and relatives. 

A meeting, with Mr. Akhilesh Yadav, the ex-chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was organized in which he gave 2 to 2.5 hrs of his precious time and had a talk with all the Georgians. The entire crew of this 750KM run dined with Col KS Badhwar at Hotel Taj, Lucknow. 

This event was organized by Mr. Ravi Kumar, the Youngest Marathon Organiser and supported by some friends namely Mr. Dinesh Grewal and Mr. Harsh Vashist.