The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APRIL 10, 2025
In a landmark initiative blending athletic spirit with digital empowerment, Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s premier public sector banks, successfully hosted the inaugural PNB Half Marathon 2025 under the compelling theme “Cyber Run – Empowering a Secure Digital India.” Held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the capital, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 13,800 participants, symbolising a nationwide stride towards cybersecurity awareness and digital inclusion.
The marathon was ceremonially flagged off by M Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), who was joined by Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO, PNB, Sameer Bansal, MD & CEO, PNB MetLife Insurance, Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO, PNB Housing Finance Ltd, along with other senior officials of the bank. Applauding PNB’s commitment to national service, the DFS Secretary lauded the bank’s proactive role in strengthening public awareness around cybercrime and digital safety.
In his address, Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO of PNB, stated, “As PNB marks 131 years of dedicated service to the nation, the #PNBCyberRun is a reflection of our commitment to promoting financial wellness and digital security. A secure digital ecosystem is fundamental to India’s progress, and we are proud to lead by example through such community-driven initiatives.”
Participants joined in large numbers across three well-organized race categories: the 21.1K Half Marathon saw 2,600 runners, the 10K Energetic attracted 5,850 runners, and the 5K Fun-Filled route welcomed 5,350 runners. Each category contributed to the electric atmosphere of the event, which was further elevated by live music bands, vibrant cultural performances, and dynamic on-route entertainment that kept spirits high throughout the morning.
The 21.1K Half Marathon witnessed inspiring performances. In the women’s category, Ujala clinched the top spot and a prize of ₹2,00,000, followed by Renu Singh as the first runner-up with ₹1,50,000, and Sonika as the second runner-up earning ₹1,00,000. In the men’s category, Hemant Singh emerged as the winner, taking home ₹2,00,000. He was followed by Harish Sheroan, who secured the first runner-up position with ₹1,50,000, while Banee Singh placed third, winning ₹1,00,000.
In the 10K Energetic Run, the women’s category was led by Neeta Rani, who bagged the top prize of ₹2,00,000. Tamsi Singh came in as the first runner-up with ₹1,50,000, and Aneeta Singh finished third with ₹1,00,000. Among the men, Gaurav won first place and ₹2,00,000, with Balram earning the first runner-up title and ₹1,50,000, followed by Sawan, who secured the second runner-up spot with a prize of ₹1,00,000.
Furthering its commitment to digital awareness, PNB set up dedicated information zones, interactive booths, a street play performance, and an engaging quiz session led by Deputy Commandant Deepak Kumar of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. These activities effectively highlighted safe banking practices, fraud prevention techniques, and the importance of digital hygiene in today’s connected world.
