Bengaluru, April 8: The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore successfully hosted its annual Miles4Meals run, raising over ₹2.25 lakh in donations for the Akshaya Patra Foundation to support mid-day meals for underprivileged school children.
The event, featuring 5K and 10K categories, commenced at 6:00 AM from the IIIT-B campus, which also served as the finishing point. The run was flagged off by Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, and witnessed participation from over 525 runners, including students, faculty, corporate representatives, and members of the public.
Miles4Meals is more than a fitness event—it is a platform to raise awareness about hunger and nutrition challenges faced by children across India, encouraging community action for a meaningful cause. The cheque for the funds raised was formally handed over to the Akshaya Patra Foundation during the closing ceremony. Mr. Vinod Sudhakar, Technology Director at Akshaya Patra, participated in the 5K run, reinforcing the message of shared responsibility.
The event also saw the participation of Mr. Yogesh Pathak, CEO, Technoforte, and Mr. Sanjay Kikla, Director of Sales, Technoforte. Launched in 2023, Miles4Meals has grown into a flagship initiative of IIIT-Bangalore, demonstrating the institute’s commitment to leveraging community engagement for social impact.
With a total prize pool of ₹1.5 lakh across both run categories, winners were recognized across age and gender groups. Notable winners include:
10K Run
- Under 45 Men: 1st – Abhishek Kumar, 2nd – Ram Pal
- Under 45 Women: 1st – Razina Parbin, 2nd – Madhavi K
- Above 45 Men: 1st – Somanathan, 2nd – Pazhani Vanal
- Above 45 Women: 1st – Amutha Nayaki, 2nd – Nisha Raj
5K Run
- Under 45 Men: 1st – Onkar R. Panhalkar, 2nd – Karan Singh
- Under 45 Women: 1st – Aradhana Kumari, 2nd – Khushi Singh
- Above 45 Men: 1st – Vikas Kumar, 2nd – Rajan S
“Miles4Meals is more than a run; it is a collective expression of responsibility and purpose,” said Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore. “While we may not be able to solve the problem of hunger entirely, initiatives like these represent an important step towards a hunger-free India. Seeing our students, faculty, and community come together for this cause reaffirms our commitment to building a society that is both knowledge-driven and humane.”
The funds raised will directly support the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s Mid-Day Meal Programme, helping provide nutritious meals to children across the country.
