Indian Diaspora in Over 100 Countries Join First Global Viksit Bharat Run 2025

The Government of India has launched the first-ever global edition of the Viksit Bharat Run 2025, with Indian communities and friends of India in more than 100 countries participating simultaneously on Sunday.

The initiative, jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), was part of Seva Pakhwada (September 17–October 2) under the theme “Run to Serve the Nation.”

Community runs covering 3–5 kilometers were held in cities worldwide, including Bangkok, Beijing, Riyadh, Rome, Seoul, Sydney, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Perth, and Tokyo. Smaller editions also took place in Bhutan, Switzerland, Tanzania, and other locations, with participants ranging from students and professionals to local residents and dignitaries.

High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, said the run symbolized both service to India and contribution to host countries.

“The idea was to emphasize that the Indian community contributes wherever it goes, serving both its homeland and the societies it lives in,” he explained.

Participants not only joined the run but also took the Viksit Bharat Pledge and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Pledge, reaffirming commitment to India’s development vision for 2047. They also supported the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” plantation drive, linking the event with environmental sustainability.

The global run was further integrated with the MY Bharat portal, which provides volunteering opportunities, youth programs, and experiential learning initiatives. Indian missions collaborated with community organizations and local authorities to ensure wide participation.

A participant in London told ANI:

“We were excited to join as soon as we learned about the event. It makes us feel connected to India’s progress while contributing positively to our communities abroad.”

The Viksit Bharat Run 2025 marks India’s effort to strengthen diaspora engagement, foster global goodwill, and position the Indian community as a force for both nation-building and global service.