Kanpur, 03 September, 2024: IIT Kanpur's annual sports festival, Udghosh, organized AAVEG 2024 - Run for a Cause Marathon, which was sponsored and supported by Decathlon, India. The marathon aimed to raise awareness about women’s health and empowerment, with a particular focus on PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

The marathon commenced at the Open Air Theatre (OAT) at IIT Kanpur and featured a 5 km walk and run, with categories including Walk (open to both men and women) at 6:10 AM, Women’s Run (for women aged 18 to 40) at 6:25 AM, and Men’s Run (for men aged 18 to 40) at 6:35 AM. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 250 individuals, with all participants receiving e-certificates and refreshments, while winners were awarded trophies and goodies such as yoga mats and special energy drinks.

Suryansh Gaur, a student and the event organizer, emphasized the significance of the cause, stating, "It is essential for people, particularly men, to be aware of the challenges faced by their mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. Women play a vital role in shaping our world, and their concerns should not be overlooked. We have a collective responsibility to not only acknowledge these issues but also to actively seek effective solutions, especially given the current circumstances."

In addition to the marathon, a talk titled 'Unraveling the Puzzles of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)' was organized in collaboration with the Indian PCOS Society and the Women’s Association, IIT Kanpur. The session was led by Dr. Mamta Agnihotri, a renowned expert from the PCOS Society India, who provided an in-depth exploration of PCOS, a hormonal disorder affecting one in every ten women. Dr. Agnihotri discussed the complexities of the condition, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and long-term health implications. The session aimed to educate and empower the audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women with this condition.

Through AAVEG 2024, IIT Kanpur demonstrated its commitment to advancing women’s health and community awareness, laying the groundwork for future initiatives to drive positive change.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is best known for the highest standard of its education in science and engineering and seminal R&D contributions over the years. The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1050 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 25 centers and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 580 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.