Bicholim, January 2026: Commemorating National Youth Day and promoting a healthy lifestyle, the Republic Run 2026 was organised by the Lions Club of Bicholim and Leo Club of Bicholim, supported by Vedanta Sesa Goa. The event drew over 800 participants, showcasing vibrant energy, teamwork, and a commitment to fitness across all age groups.
The annual Republic Run has become a key community fitness initiative, encouraging citizens to embrace active lifestyles. This year marked the third consecutive year of support from Vedanta Sesa Goa under its “YouTheChange, YouThePower” initiative.
The event was graced by Shri Chandrakant Shetye, Hon’ble MLA for Bicholim Constituency, who praised the organisers and partners for providing a platform that promotes health, discipline, and community well-being.
Mr Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa, said: “The Republic Run has evolved into a meaningful community initiative that encourages people across age groups to adopt active and healthy lifestyles. The enthusiastic participation reflects a growing awareness around well-being and the importance of staying physically active.”
The Republic Run 2026 featured three categories:
2 km – children aged 8–13 years
3.5 km – open category for participants above 13 years
10 km – open category for participants above 13 years
Participants enjoyed a spirited day of competition, camaraderie, and community engagement. Mr Naveen Hirekar, a participant, shared: “It was encouraging to see so many children taking part. Such initiatives motivate people of all ages to step outdoors and engage in physical activity.”
Winners across categories:
2 km: Vaibhav N. Chodankar (Boys), Garvi Kalangutkar (Girls)
National Youth Day, celebrated every year on January 12, honours the potential of young minds to drive positive change. The theme for 2025, “Ignite the self, impact the world,” resonates strongly with Vedanta Sesa Goa’s sustained efforts in youth empowerment. Since 2018, the company has impacted over one lakh youth through initiatives spanning skilling, education, sports and digital learning.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa, emphasised the organisation’s focus on enabling young minds through education and skill development. He highlighted that initiatives such as the Sesa Football Academy, Sesa Technical School, and digital education and scholarship programmes have played a critical role in building an empowered and enabled society, while contributing to the larger vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Among Vedanta Sesa Goa’s flagship initiatives is the Sesa Football Academy, which since 1999 has nurtured the footballing aspirations of over 8,000 players. More than 230 players have benefitted directly from its residential programme, with 14 players, including boys and girls, representing India at the international level. The Academy’s senior women’s team currently represents Goa at the Indian Women’s League, while the senior men’s team continues to perform strongly in the Goa Premier League.
Reflecting on this impact, Aaroshi Govekar, a player at the Sesa Football Academy and a recent selection for the Indian football team, described wearing the Indian jersey as a dream come true. She credited the Academy for providing not just training, but discipline, exposure and confidence to compete at the highest level.
Another cornerstone of Vedanta Sesa Goa’s youth development efforts is the Sesa Technical School, established in 1994. The institute has provided industry-ready technical training to over 2,000 youth, particularly from rural and mining belts of Goa. Affiliated with NCVT and ITI, the school offers courses across five trades and maintains a near 100 percent placement record, with graduates employed by leading organisations across sectors. Special focus is placed on encouraging girls through scholarships and dedicated training programmes.
Alumnus and entrepreneur Laxman Dalvi shared that the school gave him more than technical skills—it instilled confidence, discipline and direction, enabling him to build a self-reliant future.
Under Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Sesa Goa has also strengthened access to education and digital learning by establishing Vedanta Computer Centres and Labs across multiple states. Since 2018, these initiatives have benefitted over 80,000 students and youth, helping bridge the digital divide and build essential skills for the modern workforce.
Complementing these efforts is the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship Programme, which has supported over 1,300 students in pursuing higher education, with 50 percent of scholarships reserved for meritorious girls. Beneficiaries like Leela Parab from Mulgao credit the programme for helping them move closer to their aspirations and contribute positively to society.
Together, these initiatives embody the spirit of National Youth Day by equipping young people with skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures. As Vedanta Sesa Goa continues its mission of transforming communities, youth empowerment remains at the heart of its journey toward inclusive and sustainable progress.
On January 12, National Youth Day, India honors the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a thinker, a dreamer, and a doer who believed in the limitless power of young minds. This year’s theme, “MYBharat-Viksit Bharat@2047 – By the Youth, For the Youth” resonates deeply, calling upon the future generation to envision and build a brighter, stronger India.
In Goa, this vision comes to life through a series of initiatives led by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, paving the way for youth to excel and empowering them to shape their own future.
One of the flagship programs of the DITE&C is the IT Knowledge Centres (ITKCs) initiative. While the empanelment of ITKCs is currently in process for this year, these centers have been key facilitators of digital education across Goa. They provide a range of courses, from basic computer literacy to advanced diploma programs. By making technology accessible and equipping youth with IT skills, ITKCs aim to lay the groundwork for a digitally inclusive Goa. Under the initiative of the Laptop Scheme for Meritorious Students of SC/ST, free laptops are provided to the top 10 meritorious Class X students (5 girls and 5 boys) from SC/ST communities in each taluka of the state to recognize and reward academic excellence among Goa’s youth. So far, over 300 deserving students have benefited from this program. Plans are underway to expand its reach to include students from EWS and OBC.
Understanding that innovation is essential for a developed society, the Department of ITE&C has launched initiatives such as the Goa Startup Yatra. This program connects college students with startup founders, industry leaders, and incubation heads, making entrepreneurship more accessible and inspiring them to aim high. By visiting various colleges across Goa, the Yatra serves as a guiding light for students to transform their ideas into successful ventures.
Building on this foundation, the Goa Startup Yatra Bootcamp offers a practical environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about launching and growing businesses. These workshops, facilitated by seasoned mentors, merge theoretical concepts with practical application, nurturing a culture of innovation and resilience among Goa’s youth.
On this National Youth Day, as we embrace Swami Vivekananda’s vision of a confident, capable, and motivated youth, Goa is focused on supporting young people through the various initiatives of the Department of ITE&C, Government of Goa aimed at nation-building. As we look ahead to 2047, it is evident that today’s efforts will pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow.
12th December 2025, Bicholim, To commemorate National Youth Day, Vedanta Sesa Goa has partnered with the Lions Club of Bicholim to conduct the 8th Edition of the ‘Republic Run’ at Bicholim. This highly anticipated event aims to promote awareness about fitness, a love for the outdoors, and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. The ‘Republic Run,’ instituted in 2016-17, has grown from a participation of around 200 avid runners to an expected turnout of 800 enthusiasts this year. The current edition is scheduled to take place on 12th January 2025, starting at 5:45 a.m., coinciding with National Youth Day and celebrating its theme, “Youth Empowerment for Nation Building.”
The ‘Republic Run 2025’ is being organized in three different categories: 2 km (for children aged 8-13 years), 3.5 km (open category for all above 13 years), and 10 km (open for all above 13 years). All participants will be provided with T-shirts, certificates, and medals. The event is being coordinated by the Lions Club of Bicholim President, Lion Rajesh Karapurkar, and Mr. Azad Kadkade.
“Vedanta Sesa Goa is honored to be associated with the Lions Club of Bicholim for the 8th edition of the ‘Republic Run,’ promoting wellness and community engagement. We are committed to the well-being of the communities and are privileged to partner with the communities of Bicholim Taluka. The tremendous response received for the previous edition, as well as for our several other initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, encourages us to power this incredible event. We are committed to ‘giving back’ meaningfully to society and actively supporting initiatives that bring communities together and contribute to fostering a healthier lifestyle,” said Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore Goa.
Mr. Azad Kadkade said, “The ‘Republic Run’ is aimed at inculcating a healthy lifestyle and promoting fitness among all. It is also a means to engage the people of Goa in a meaningful manner. We are proud to be hosting the 8th edition and are thankful to Vedanta Sesa Goa for its exceptional commitment to community wellness through their support for the event.”
As a dedicated advocate for community health and fitness and being firmly rooted in causes of national context, Vedanta promotes sports through its flagship initiative, Sesa Football Academy, and the Vedanta Women’s League. Vedanta Sesa Goa, which has previously partnered with the Lions Club of Bicholim, aims to foster a culture of wellness and fitness while underscoring its commitment to the youth and the overall well-being of the community.
The company has been regularly supporting the youth by partnering with the Goa Football Association and supporting the Vedanta Women’s League, the Vedanta Youth Cup, and local youth clubs in conducting events such as the Navelim Cricket League, the Corporate Cricket League, and the Amrawati Football League. Focused on cultural development, the Vedanta Sangeet Samrat Sitara has promoted young talent in the field of classical music. Additionally, its endeavors such as the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, which carried the theme #RunForZeroHunger, have catered to approximately 1 million meals over the last three years. Through initiatives like this, Vedanta continues its dedication to enriching the communities it serves, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and well-being among individuals.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and the environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model Anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies company have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2020, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award 2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as the best CSR project by the Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit http://www.vedantalimited.com
About Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business
Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business of Vedanta Limited is engaged in exploration, mining, and processing of iron ore. The company was founded in 1954 as Scambi Economici SA Goa and acquired by Vedanta. Since then, it has grown to be one among the top low-cost producers of iron ore in the country. During 1991-1995, it diversified into the manufacture of pig iron and metallurgical coke. It has also developed indigenous and environment-friendly technology for producing high quality metallurgical coke. Sesa Goa Iron Ore also has two waste heat recovery power plants of total capacity 60 MW that produces clean power by using the waste heat recovery from its coke ovens and blast furnace gas. Sesa Goa Iron Ore operations in India are in Goa & Karnataka.
