The scenic beach of Puri is set to become a vibrant hub of fitness and wellness as it prepares to host a three-day Fit India Carnival from March 21 to March 23. The event aims to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage people to incorporate physical fitness into their daily routines.

The carnival is being organized under the nationwide Fit India Mission and will feature a variety of sports, wellness activities, and cultural performances to engage people of all age groups.

Minister Reviews Preparations for the Event

The Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Suryabanshi Suraj, chaired a high-level review meeting via video conferencing to assess the preparations for the upcoming carnival. Officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Puri district administration, MY Bharat, and National Service Scheme (NSS) Odisha participated in the meeting.

The carnival is being organized by the SAI Regional Centre in Kolkata in collaboration with the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Jagatpur. The minister stressed that the primary goal of the initiative is to create widespread awareness about the importance of fitness and healthy living.

Promoting Health Awareness Among Youth and Tourists

Given Puri’s reputation as a globally renowned heritage and tourism destination, a large turnout of residents, students, and tourists is expected during the three-day event. The minister emphasized that the carnival should become a community-driven movement promoting physical activity and wellness among people from all walks of life.

He also highlighted the importance of ensuring safety and proper crowd management so that participants can enjoy the activities in a secure and organized environment.

Blend of Modern Wellness and Traditional Sports

The carnival will feature a unique combination of modern fitness practices and traditional Odia sports and cultural activities. Live competitions in traditional sports such as Kusti (wrestling) and Malkhamb will be organized to showcase India’s rich sporting heritage.

In addition, wellness sessions including chair yoga and laughter yoga will be conducted to encourage people to adopt simple yet effective fitness practices in their daily lives.

The event will also highlight Odisha’s cultural heritage through sand art displays and performances of traditional folk forms such as Gotipua and Sahi Jata.

Safety Measures and Activity Zones

To ensure smooth management of the event, the venue will be divided into dedicated activity zones. The district administration and police authorities will deploy lifeguards, fire services, and first-aid facilities to ensure the safety of participants.

The popular mascot Olly is also expected to attract visitors, especially children.

Senior officials including Bhupendra Singh Poonia and Bijay Swain attended the review meeting and discussed strategies to ensure the success of the event.