We’ve all had that easy-to-pass course on environment in our school and college years, which seemed pointless to us at that time. While it outlined the importance of the environment and what we can do to conserve it, it was theoretical. It couldn’t successfully make a lasting impact on us. It was just another effortless A or A+ in our report cards.
Experience opened our eyes to just how important the environment is, and how quickly it is deteriorating. Natural greenery is hard to find in our cities. And due to rapid urban expansion, even the few green pockets that used to exist have now vanished. Pollution levels have a visible impact on our health, with our loved ones falling prey to asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Apart from more greenery and cleaner air, in the previous generations, physical labor was prevalent and sitting idle was rare. Thus, people saw no reason to exercise. Today majority of the population wants to get fit, but all they see is the shiny equipment of the numerous gymnasiums in cities. We need to sweat to lose weight, however, the current generation prefers toning up while brisk walking on the treadmill and scrolling through their Instagram feeds. The gym equipment and the continuous functioning of the air conditioners consume heavy amount of electricity.
The idea behind a gym is basically people wanting quick workout sessions in their busy schedules. This has worked out its purpose at large but it has taken away something very significant: the true essence of sports. People have forgotten that traits like team spirit and collective work are inspired by sports. Furthermore, the collective belongingness and enjoyment that sports had to offer through games and athletics is now missing. We are also missing out on ‘connecting with nature’, which was the real purpose of outdoor sports.
So, what’s the correlation here? How does the environment relate to sports?
As it turns out, there is a better, more eco-friendly and economical alternative to gym workouts - a simple walk, jog or run. All you need is a good pair of running shoes, and maybe a playlist or two. And marathons are even better because you get to run with a large number of people, who are a mix of novices, routine runners and veterans, all running enthusiasts. Marathons are usually organized for a cause.
Xavier University Bhubaneswar (XUB) offers such an opportunity through the XUB Green Marathon, arranged by XUB's Sports Committee, to promote and increase consciousness of sustainability and fulfill the vision of XUB to tackle sustainability problems and promote green practices. This Green Marathon would mark the start of Xamboree'19, XUB's flagship event, which is said to be Eastern India's largest Cultural–Management Festival. Spread over 3 days, from 27-29 September 2019, it will be a combination of individuals and organizations of diverse backgrounds coming together for music, art, theater, literature, and corporate events and will test their intellectual, oratory, artistic, creative, and corporate skills.
As one of the country's leading institutes, care for the environment, community, and the XUB family is their primary duty. XUB's Sports Committee believes sustainability is a lifestyle that every individual needs to adapt. The primary objective of this marathon is to increase awareness of the serious imbalance in nature and human life. The marathon will take place on Sunday, 22 September 2019, from Infocity Square to Janta Maidan, at 6:00 AM.