- The third edition of Fitistan’s marquee Kargil Tiger Hill Challenge is designed as a 30-day national virtual fitness and tribute campaign
- The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s Fit India Movement
- Each participant is encouraged to take 527 steps for each of the 527 fallen soldiers, completing 2,77,729 steps in 30 days
- The activity brings together everyday citizens and members of the armed forces on one platform to honour the heroes of Kargil
Fitistan, India’s largest fitness community driven by passion and purpose, has launched the third edition of its Kargil Tiger Hill Challenge. This first-of-its-kind 30-day nationwide virtual fitness and tribute campaign will culminate on July 26, marking Kargil Vijay Diwas with a commemorative effort that honours the 527 soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation during the Kargil War of 1999.
The Kargil Tiger Hill Challenge goes beyond any other 30-day fitness challenges by offering everyday citizens the opportunity to come together to honour and commemorate the immense sacrifices made by soldiers during the nearly three-month conflict. Uniting members of the armed forces, including the army, navy and air force, with veterans, NCC and CRPF cadets as well as civilian institutions such as schools, colleges and corporates and fitness enthusiasts, the campaign aims to be a national movement of tribute, pride, unity and remembrance.
Each participant is encouraged to take 527 steps for each of the 527 fallen soldiers over a period of 30 days. Cumulatively, Fitistan hopes to inspire and unite India to take 100 crore steps of commemoration. What further sets this campaign apart is its 20-day storytelling format that allows participants to not only track steps but also become more aware of and build a deeper connection with the campaign’s purpose. Each day, participants will receive meaningful communication that encompasses stories from the Kargil War, pivotal moments from Dras, Tiger Hill, Tololing and Batalik, moving accounts of courage, sacrifice and victory, inspirational solider-led motivation, and key Kargil Vijay Diwas facts and educational content.
The app will also feature quiz sections to engage participants and help them to learn more about the war and its heroes. Upon completion, participants will receive a special tribute t-shirt created by Fitistan that highlights the names of all 527 soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War. The t-shirt will allow participants to continue bearing the memory and legacy of India’s heroes and express gratitude and remembrance long after the campaign ends.
The Kargil Tiger Hill Challenge has been divided into different phases, inspired by the journey of the soldiers leading up to the final victory. The first 10-day phase begins with awareness, participation and national mobilisation, followed by the 14-day Assault to Tiger Hill phase that invokes the courage, endurance and determination shown during the assault on Tiger Hill – this is also the toughest part of the challenge. Victory Week, which spans July 21 to 25, is a powerful build-up to Kargil Vijay Diwas, focused on hero stories, remembrance, quizzes, patriotic engagement and national pride. The final day, Kargil Vijay Diwas, mobilises participants to walk with a deeper sense of national pride and gratitude.
“Since our very inception, we’ve remained committed to making an impact through all our initiatives. The Kargil Tiger Hill Challenge is especially significant because it gives people from all walks of life a tangible way to commemorate the enormous sacrifices made by our armed forces. It is also a means of uniting citizens across the board with a common purpose, which ties in with our broader goal of nation building. We’re so excited with the tremendous response the challenge has received and look forward to making this edition our most successful one yet,” said Shilpa Bhagat, co-founder of Fitistan.
“The campaign is special to us, not just because of its deep symbolism but the meaningful impact it makes in terms of raising awareness about the tireless efforts that our armed forces make every day to keep us safe and secure. Fitistan’s founding vision was to create a community that is responsible and committed to nation building. Through their enthusiastic participation and vociferous support, our community is ensuring that this edition emerges as the challenge’s most successful year,” said Major Surendra Poonia, co-founder of Fitistan.
The campaign is aligned with Fitistan’s broader goals of building a country of proud and healthy patriots. The platform has undertaken several other initiatives designed to unite the armed forces with the communities they serve, including the Soldierathon, which combines fitness with a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces and is organised in collaboration with different units of the Indian Army. Proceeds from the event help to support the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Kirkee, Pune, which rehabilitates soldiers with spinal cord injuries.