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Punjab National Bank (PNB), a prominent public sector bank in India, has officially announced the 'PNB Soldierathon 2026' at its corporate headquarters in Dwarka. This event marks the beginning of the celebrations for the bank's 132nd Foundation Day. The upcoming marathon is the second edition of PNB's flagship event, themed around the Soldierathon, which emphasizes the bank's commitment to honoring the Indian Armed Forces while promoting fitness, discipline, and national pride.

The pre-launch event featured Major Surendra Poonia, VSM, a Limca Book Record Holder and former Special Forces officer, as the Chief Guest. He was joined by PNB's Managing Director and CEO Ashok Chandra, along with other executive directors, senior officials, representatives from the Armed Forces, veterans, and marathon participants.

'PNB Soldierathon 2026 - Run with Soldiers, Run for Soldiers' aims to create a nationwide movement uniting soldiers, veterans, citizens, youth, and fitness enthusiasts. This initiative reinforces PNB's broader mission of nation-building through social responsibility and community involvement.

During the pre-launch, PNB revealed the official name, theme, T-shirt, and medal for 'PNB Soldierathon 2026'. Attendees were also shown a short film highlighting the PNB Half Marathon 2025, showcasing the expanding scale and impact of the bank's fitness initiatives.

In his address, Ashok Chandra expressed excitement about the upcoming event, stating, 'As we celebrate PNB's 132nd Foundation Day, we are thrilled to announce the second edition of the PNB Half Marathon under the theme 'PNB Soldierathon 2026 - Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers', scheduled for April 5, 2026. This theme honors the success of Operation Sindoor and pays tribute to our Armed Forces. Founded by the esteemed freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, PNB has always been dedicated to nation-building. This year, we dedicate our celebrations to the courageous soldiers who protect our nation. This initiative not only commemorates our Foundation Day but also reflects our commitment to promoting fitness, health, and a robust sporting culture across India. We encourage citizens, athletes, and the entire PNB family to join us in solidarity with our armed forces and make this a significant movement.'

Major Surendra Poonia commended PNB's ongoing efforts, highlighting that such initiatives are vital for fostering national awareness, promoting fitness, and enhancing the civil-military relationship.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by PNB Executive Director Bibhu P. Mahapatra.