
Run for Nation 2025 marathon to be held on July 27 in Coimbatore
VGM Hospital and Kovai Athletic Club will jointly organise the 'Run for Nation 2025' marathon on July 27 at VOC Grounds in Coimbatore. The event promo was launched on Saturday by Coimbatore Mayor K. Ranganayaki. Organisers expect participation from more than 7,000 runners.
The 2024 edition attracted 4,300 participants and was recognised by the Coimbatore District Athletic Association (CDAA) as the second-largest marathon held in the district.
According to the organisers, over 20 organisations, institutions and clubs have confirmed participation. These include Karur Vysya Bank, CRI Pumps, Martin Group of Companies, along with educational groups and community organisations such as Rotary and Rotaract District 3201, Young Indians Coimbatore, and others.
A key feature this year will be the involvement of more than 150 differently-abled persons who will flag off the marathon. 'Last year, over 100 differently-abled persons participated. This time, we hope to make the event even more inclusive,' said Dr. Suman, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director of VGM Hospital.
The marathon will also serve as a platform to promote awareness about health, especially knee care, sports, and education. A medical team led by Dr. Suman will conduct awareness sessions across 100 institutions and workplaces in the lead-up to the event.
Funds raised will be used to provide shoes, sports uniforms, and coaching support to students from 25 corporation schools.
Cash prizes totalling ₹1.5 lakh will be awarded across various age and gender categories. The official event T-shirt was released by N. Devanathan, in the presence of CDAA officials and VGM Hospital staff.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Six lakh women register under Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel's NAMO Shri scheme
Gandhinagar: On the occasion of International Mother's Day, over six lakh women registered under the NAMO Shri Scheme aiming at women empowerment and improving maternal health launched by the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, as per a release. Under the scheme, nearly 4 lakh women have received financial assistance of Rs 222 crore. This scheme was specifically launched to provide financial assistance to pregnant women and mothers for their health and nutrition. The support provided to nearly 4 lakh mothers is not only helping them undergo timely health check-ups but is also ensuring access to balanced nutrition for them. International Mother's Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May to honour the contributions of mothers and raise awareness about their rights. This year, it falls on May 11th. The theme for International Mother's Day 2025 is "Mothers: The Backbone of the Family," highlighting the fact that mothers are the pillars of the family, and without them, society cannot be imagined. Under the NAMO Shri scheme launched by the Gujarat Government, eligible women receive financial assistance of up to Rs 12,000 for their first two live children, distributed in phases. This assistance is provided in conjunction with the benefits received under the central government's Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and JanSuraksha Yojana (JSY). For the first pregnancy, the woman receives a total of Rs 12,000 in four phases: Rs 5,000 at the time of registration (Rs 2,000 from the state government and Rs 3,000 from the central government), Rs 2,000 after six months of pregnancy (from the state government), Rs 3,000 immediately after institutional delivery (from the state government), and Rs 2,000 after the 14-week vaccination (from the central government). For the second pregnancy, the assistance process is slightly different. The woman receives Rs 2,000 at the time of registration, Rs 3,000 after six months of pregnancy, Rs 6,000 after institutional delivery (with the amount given by the central government if the newborn is a girl and by the state government if the newborn is a boy), and Rs 1,000 from the state government after the 14-week vaccination. This entire amount is transferred directly into the beneficiary woman's bank account. In addition to the NAMO Shri scheme, the state government's other various initiatives such as SUMAN, PMSMA, Mamta, and Khilkhilat are providing women with high-quality healthcare services, regular check-ups, vaccinations, and counseling. These joint efforts between the central and state governments have played a crucial role in significantly reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the state. In 2011-13, Gujarat's MMR was 112, and by 2020, it had dropped to 57, reflecting an impressive 50 per cent decrease. This transformation is a direct testament to the state government's continued commitment and effective implementation of these programs. Furthermore, in Gujarat, over 14 lakh pregnant women receive timely health check-ups and nutritional services each year, and the state has achieved a 99.97 per cent institutional delivery rate, a remarkable achievement at the national level.


Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Maternal health needs all of us: Midwives, men, and the power of shared care
In a government hospital in Rajasthan, a young woman named Lakshmi enters for her prenatal checkup, her heart pounding with fear. It is her first pregnancy, and so many unknowns lie ahead. Will she face this journey alone? Then something unexpected happens… she is greeted by a midwife who wears pink scrubs and a moustache. Yes, a male midwife. He speaks softly, explains everything clearly, and includes her husband in the conversation, showing him how to support her. In that moment, Lakshmi's isolation transforms into connection. Her fear dissolves into confidence. This is not just Lakshmi's story. This is the future of maternal healthcare in India, where no woman walks alone. India has reduced maternal deaths by 78% between 2000 and 2023. This means one million more mothers are alive today, raising children and building communities. How did this happen? Over the past two decades, India's commitment to maternal healthcare has been driven by a series of government-led initiatives that are empowering women to make more informed choices about their care. During village health, sanitation and nutrition days, Ashas and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) deliver essential services at the grassroots. At the same time, major schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) have boosted institutional deliveries whereas Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) guarantees free healthcare for mothers and newborns. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) further offers free, quality antenatal checkups. Newer programmes such as Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) and LaQshya have enhanced the quality of maternal care and labour rooms. Because of India's efforts to support family planning, there has been a 56% uptake of modern contraceptive use, with each woman having on average two children, empowering women to plan their families and pregnancies better. These efforts, strengthened by continuous community outreach, have improved maternal and newborn health outcomes. But here is the hard truth: many women still face risks that are largely preventable. In states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Assam, many women, especially from underserved communities, continue to face life-threatening risks during childbirth, especially in remote areas. These women are not statistics. They have names, families, hopes, and rights. Progress means ensuring that every woman, regardless of where she lives, her financial and social identity, has access to the care she needs to bring new life into the world safely and with dignity. The solution is not complicated. It lies with having more midwives. Around the world evidence shows that when midwives are trained and integrated into health systems, they can deliver nearly 90% of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services. Recognising this, India has been building something remarkable since 2018: a group of highly skilled nurse practitioners in midwifery. Across 12 states, eight national and 14 state midwifery training institutes are shaping a new generation of midwives. The institutions do not just teach clinical excellence… they nurture compassion, empathy, and respect. Many are embracing cutting-edge tools like virtual reality simulations, giving trainees hands-on experience before they step into labour rooms. These midwives are not just healthcare providers; they are guardians of safe birth and champions of women's dignity. And now increasingly, they are men. However, when male nurse in a conservative community decides to become a midwife, he faces multiple challenges. His friends taunt him. His family questions. Society raises eyebrows. Yet he persists. Why? Because he sees something others do not: that bringing life into the world should not be a women's burden alone. Real strength is not shown by standing outside the delivery room, it is demonstrated by standing beside a woman during her most vulnerable hours. At SMTI (State Midwifery Training Institute) Jaipur, male midwives often share a common insight: 'It is not about big gestures. It is the small things that matter, welcoming and reassuring her when she comes into labour, explaining procedures clearly, respecting her choices, involving her family.' These male midwives are cultural catalysts, redefining masculinity one birth at a time. The change extends beyond the hospital. Husbands who once paced nervously outside are now invited in to hold hands, to wipe tears, to witness the miracle of their child's first breath. And something remarkable happens: Men who participate in birth tend to participate in childcare. They support recovery. They become advocates for women's health. In communities across India, fathers who have been present during childbirth share a common sentiment: 'I thought giving birth was a woman's business. Now I understand this is a family concern.' Midwifery-led care can prevent two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths by 2035. Every $1 invested in midwives brings up to 16 times the return in social and economic benefits. With 26 million births a year and a shortage of 1.8 million healthcare workers, India needs smart, urgent solutions. Midwives, trained faster and at lower cost than doctors, can bridge the gap handling normal pregnancies so doctors can focus on complex cases. The way ahead is simple: Expand midwife training, bring more men into the profession, promote family-centered births, and strengthen community support for women's health. Above all, maternal health must be seen as a basic human right. UNFPA stands committed to India's midwifery movement. Together, we can ensure that every birth is safe, every mother is valued, and every family has the chance to flourish. Andrea M Wojnar is UNFPA India Representative and Country Director Bhutan. The views expressed are personal


The Hindu
10-05-2025
- The Hindu
Run for Nation 2025 marathon to be held on July 27 in Coimbatore
VGM Hospital and Kovai Athletic Club will jointly organise the 'Run for Nation 2025' marathon on July 27 at VOC Grounds in Coimbatore. The event promo was launched on Saturday by Coimbatore Mayor K. Ranganayaki. Organisers expect participation from more than 7,000 runners. The 2024 edition attracted 4,300 participants and was recognised by the Coimbatore District Athletic Association (CDAA) as the second-largest marathon held in the district. According to the organisers, over 20 organisations, institutions and clubs have confirmed participation. These include Karur Vysya Bank, CRI Pumps, Martin Group of Companies, along with educational groups and community organisations such as Rotary and Rotaract District 3201, Young Indians Coimbatore, and others. A key feature this year will be the involvement of more than 150 differently-abled persons who will flag off the marathon. 'Last year, over 100 differently-abled persons participated. This time, we hope to make the event even more inclusive,' said Dr. Suman, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director of VGM Hospital. The marathon will also serve as a platform to promote awareness about health, especially knee care, sports, and education. A medical team led by Dr. Suman will conduct awareness sessions across 100 institutions and workplaces in the lead-up to the event. Funds raised will be used to provide shoes, sports uniforms, and coaching support to students from 25 corporation schools. Cash prizes totalling ₹1.5 lakh will be awarded across various age and gender categories. The official event T-shirt was released by N. Devanathan, in the presence of CDAA officials and VGM Hospital staff.