In Balurghat, International Women’s Day Is Marked by a Race Toward Empowerment

March 05, 2026 Times of Dakshin Dinajpur  

Empowerment on the Track

Senior Correspondent.TOD.Balurghat

In a quiet corner of eastern India, preparations are underway for a celebration of speed, strength and self-belief.On March 8, International Women’s Day, the grounds of Atreyee D.A.V. Public School in Balurghat will host the “Asmita League Tournament,” a women’s athletics meet aimed at encouraging participation in sports and advancing empowerment at the grassroots level.

The event is being organized under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through its “My Bharat” initiative, in collaboration with PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. Officials say the tournament will be held simultaneously across 250 districts nationwide, with South Dinajpur representing North Bengal in the initiative.

Set to begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, the competition will feature three age categories: under 13, 13 to 18, and 18 and above. Participants from across South Dinajpur district will compete in 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races.

Organizers said the objective extends beyond athletic performance. “This competition is not just about sport,” said Sourav Barman, district youth officer of the My Bharat initiative. “It is an important platform to empower women and bring their talent to the forefront.”

Winners in each category will receive commemorative medals and certificates, while all participants will be awarded certificates in recognition of their involvement.Among those scheduled to attend are Rajendra Das, district administrative assistant for My Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Mousumi Halder.

For Balurghat — and for South Dinajpur more broadly — the Asmita League Tournament represents more than a one-day sporting event. On a day that celebrates the achievements of women worldwide, the district’s running track will serve as a local stage for ambition, inclusion and the promise of wider horizons.