Govt to organize ‘Sari Walkathon’ in Kota on Feb 4


The Ministry of Textiles will organize ‘One Bharat Sari Walkathon’ on February 4 at Kota city in Rajasthan to raise fitness awareness among women and support local weaves, an official release said on Tuesday.

The event is in sync with the ‘AatmNirbhar Bharat Utsav’ to be held in Kota from February 3 to 8.
The textile ministry had earlier organized two editions of Sari Walkathon at Surat in Gujarat on April 9 and in Maharashtra’s Mumbai on December 10 last year. Thousands of women had come dressed in saris representing the pride of their respective states to promote the spirit of the textile and support the ‘vocal for local’ idea.

“After the success of these Sari Walkathons, Kota, the education hub of India, is gearing up to host the country’s largest-ever event which aims to raise awareness about fitness among women and encourage them lead healthier lives,” the release said.

“Our handloom sector is a symbol of country’s rich and varied cultural heritage, besides being one of the key sectors providing employment to a large number of people, especially women. This sector engages more than 35 lakh people,” it said.

The ministry also said around 10,000 women from across the country are expected to join the event adorned in their distinctive traditional attire. The gathering promises to be a vibrant tapestry, featuring not only enthusiastic participants, but also notable figures from various fields, including celebrities, influential personalities, fashion designers, Anganwadi workers, among others, the release added.

The event, where 150 people are participating, will witness people from state government bodies, apex societies, primary handloom weavers, co-operative societies; handloom, handicraft, jute, silk, and woollen weavers or artisans.