Latur boy, 10, runs 16km to school on first day of academic year to promote fitness

Latur: A 10-year-old boy from a shelter home for underprivileged children in Maharashtra's Latur marked the first day of the new academic year in an extraordinary way by running 16 kilometres to school, drawing praise for his determination and highlighting the importance of physical fitness among children.

Arvind Rathod, a Class 4 pupil residing at ‘Majha Ghar’, a shelter home run by Manus Pratishthan, completed the 16km run from the facility to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri School on Old Ausa Road in Latur on Monday.

The run was flagged off at 8am in the presence of local dignitaries, social workers and members of the running community.

According to organisers, the initiative was aimed at encouraging children to spend more time outdoors and reduce excessive dependence on mobile phones.

"The message is that children should spend more time on playgrounds than on mobile phones. A 10-year-old child successfully completing a 16-km run demonstrates the importance of physical fitness and regular exercise," said Sharad Zare of Manus Pratishthan.

He added that the effort also sought to promote reading habits and encourage a balanced lifestyle combining sports and education.

Arvind, who was born in a sugarcane workers' settlement, is among the children supported by Majha Ghar, which works to educate youngsters from marginalised backgrounds, including migrant labourers, nomadic communities and families affected by farmer suicides.

Zare said the shelter home's emphasis on freedom coupled with discipline had helped shape Arvind into a determined young runner.

Residents and well-wishers congratulated the boy on his achievement, describing it as a powerful example of self-reliance, perseverance and healthy living. They said his run delivered a strong message about fitness, determination and reducing screen time among children.