Sougataghosh at 01:20, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T01:20:29Z

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{{Short description|Sports Day of Assam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Abhiruchi Sports Day
| type = [[Sports day]]
| image = Sarusajai2.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| caption = [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]] pictured in 2017, where Abhiruchi Sports Day events are often held
| official_name = Abhiruchi Sports Day
| observedby = [[Assam]]
| significance = Recognition of [[Bhogeswar Baruah]] and other Assamese athletes
| duration = 1 day/2 days
| frequency = Annual
| celebrations = Sports activities and physical exercises<br>Awarding of state sports awards<br>Group dances<br>Traditional games in schools
| observances =
| date = 3 September
| startedby = {{hlist|Abhiruchi magazine|Balendra Mohan Chakravarty}}
| firsttime = 3 September 1984
| nickname = Abhiruchi Krira Divas
}}
'''Abhiruchi Sports Day''', also known as '''Abhiruchi Krira Divas''', is the [[Sports day|state sports day]] of [[Assam]] which has been held annually on 3 September since 1984. It commemorates the achievements of [[Bhogeswar Baruah]], the first [[Assamese people|Assamese]] sportsperson to win the [[Arjuna Award]], and exists to celebrate the success of sportspersons, encourage young athletes and promote sports in the state. Thousands participate in the events and activities held annually,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-15 |title=Thousands participate in Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://assamtribune.com/thousands-participate-in-abhiruchi-sports-day |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref> and the day has been attended by various athletes and political figures.

== History and context ==
=== Bhogeswar Baruah ===
{{Main|Bhogeswar Baruah}}Bhogeswar Baruah is an Indian athlete. He began his athletics career through his entry to the [[Indian Army Corps of EME|Indian Army Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME)]]. He made his first national athletics appearance in 1963 and in the subsequent few years he became the Indian national champion in the [[800 metres]]. At the [[1966 Asian Games]], Baruah won gold in the 800 metres by running a time of 1:49.4, setting a new Asian Games record. In the [[1970 Asian Games]], he won a silver medal in the [[4 × 400 metres relay|4 x 400 metres relay]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kirtonia |first=Dev |date=2024-05-29 |title=Biography of Bhogeswar Baruah |url=https://devlibrary.in/biography-of-bhogeswar-baruah |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Dev Library |language=en-US}}</ref>

Baruah was awarded the [[Arjuna Award]] in 1966, becoming the first Assamese recipient of the award. He has since received numerous awards, including the Lachit award in 2015 and the Bir Chilarai Award in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhogeswar Baruah To be Conferred with Bir Chilarai Award |url=https://www.pratidintime.com/latest-assam-news-breaking-news-assam/bhogeswar-baruah-to-be-conferred-with-bir-chilarai-award |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=www.pratidintime.com |language=en}}</ref> He is widely regarded as a state icon and sporting legend in Assam.<ref name=":0" />

=== Origins ===
After Baruah's retirement, he became a driver in the [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation]] (ONGC). This came to the attention of Balendra Mohan Chakravarty, who was the editor of the Abhiruchi magazine. Chakravarty published an article condemning ONGC for giving the post of a driver to Baruah and described it as deeply shameful for the state (due to Baruah being the first Assamese Arjuna award recipient), and also petitioned the [[president of India]] and [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Dinesh Goswami|Dinesh Chandra Goswami]]. Following the controversy, ONGC shifted post of Sports Officer from [[Dehradun]] to Sibsagar and appointed Baruah to the position in 1983.<ref name=":10">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Bardoloi|2019|pp=140–150}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-03 |title=What is Abhiruchi Sports Day? Why is it celebrated in Assam on September 3? |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2022/09/what-is-abhiruchi-sports-day-why-is-it-celebrated-in-assam-on-september-3/,%20https://thenewsmill.com/2022/09/what-is-abhiruchi-sports-day-why-is-it-celebrated-in-assam-on-september-3/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=thenewsmill.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Chakravarty and Abhiruchi magazine later decided that they would honour Baruah by celebrating his birthday as "Abhiruchi sports day", as Chakravarty assessed that most Assamese people were not aware of who Baruah was or his achievements. The 3 September in the English calendar became the date for the day, after Baruah consulted his relatives for his birthdate. The first Abhiruchi sports day was subsequently held on 3 September 1984.<ref name=":10" /> Chakravarty later became the managing director and chairman of the organising committee of the day.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=5 September 2007 |title=Athletics academy on anvil - Abhiruchi to tap talent |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/athletics-academy-on-anvil-abhiruchi-to-tap-talent/cid/683902 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph India}}</ref>

== Observance ==
=== Purpose and activities ===
[[File:Bhogeswar Baruah statue in April 2023.jpg|thumb|A [[gamosa]] was laid on the statue of Baruah in [[Sivasagar|Sibsagar]] (pictured) for Abhiruchi sports day in 2024.]]
The day is held to commemorate Baruah,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-03 |title=Assam observes Abhiruchi Sports Day on Wednesday. |url=https://pragnews.com/en/assam-marks-42nd-abhiruchi-sports-day-in-honor-of-bhogeswar-baruahs-birth-anniversary |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=pragnews.com |language=en}}</ref> but also to promote sports and encourage young athletes in the state, with Baruah himself stating that inspiring young athletes would bring more "laurels" to the state.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2024-09-04 |title=State marks Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/assam-celebrates-abhiruchi-sports-day-in-honor-of-bhogeswar-barua/articleshow/113045203.cms |access-date=2025-11-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> On the 42nd Abhiruchi sports day, Sports Minister [[Nandita Garlosa]] assessed that while many young students would not have seen Baruah in his prime, the celebration would allow them to "witness and draw inspiration from his journey".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=The Assam |date=2025-09-03 |title=42nd Abhiruchi Diwas: Sarusajai to be renamed after sprint legend Bhogeswar Baruah |url=https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/42nd-abhiruchi-diwas-sarusajai-to-be-renamed-after-sprint-legend-bhogeswar-baruah-1590110 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref> Cricketeer [[Anjum Chopra]] said that the events in the Abhiruchi sports day would "definitely boost youngsters" in taking up sports seriously.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=reporter |first=Sports |date=2010-09-15 |title=Sportspersons feted on Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://assamtribune.com/sportspersons-feted-on-abhiruchi-sports-day |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref>

Activities for the sports day vary, but frequently there is a mass jogging event from Chandmari Flyover to the [[Nehru Stadium, Guwahati|Nehru Stadium]] in Guwahati.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-03 |title=Assam celebrates 40th Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://northeastlivetv.com/topnews/assam-celebrates-40th-abhiruchi-sports-day/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Northeast Live |language=en-US}}</ref> Other activities include participation by schools in group dances and physical training exercises and drills,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=3 September 2007 |title=5000 joggers run for Barua - 24th abhiruchi day observed across state |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/5000-joggers-run-for-barua-24th-abhiruchi-day-observed-across-state/cid/684220 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph India}}</ref> cycle rallies,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-03 |title=Abhiruchi Sports Day Observed With Fervour In Guwahati |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/cities/guwahati-city/abhiruchi-sports-day-observed-with-fervour-in-guwahati-553141 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref> and felicitations of sportspeople. In 2016, half-marathons were also introduced as part of the state-wide activities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2016 |title=Abhiruchi Day gets new event |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/abhiruchi-day-gets-new-event/cid/1418520 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph India}}</ref> Sports quizzes and felicitation ceremonies for coaches and organisers are also held across Assam.<ref name=":2" /> Further local activities in schools include traditional sports games including [[kabaddi]], [[musical chairs]] and [[Cockfighting in India|cockfighting]] competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-03 |title=Assam: Margherita marks 42nd Abhiruchi Sports Day with enthusiastic participation |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/assam-margherita-marks-42nd-abhiruchi-sports-day-with-enthusiastic-participation-1271947-2025-09-03 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=India Today NE |language=hi}}</ref> A [[Gamosa]] has also been laid on the statue of Baruah in Sibsagar on the day in his honour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=The Assam |date=2024-09-03 |title=Assam honours 7 athletes with State Sports Awards on legend Bhogeswar Baruah's birth anniversary |url=https://assamtribune.com/sports/assam-honours-7-athletes-with-state-sports-awards-on-legend-bhogeswar-baruahs-birth-anniversary-1550160 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref>

Felicitations during the day are of athletes from various sports including [[archery]], [[fencing]], [[sepak takraw]], [[taekwondo]], [[boxing]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[weightlifting]], [[rowing (sport)|rowing]], [[Bowls|lawn bowls]] and [[badminton]] amongst other fields.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven Athletes Honoured With Assam State Sports Award On Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://www.guwahatiplus.com/assam/seven-athletes-honoured-with-assam-state-sports-award-on-abhiruchi-sports-day |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=www.guwahatiplus.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Notable days ===
==== 1st ====
The first Abhiruchi sports day took place on 3 September 1984, with the programme involving mass jogging led by Baruah with the participation of school students, college students, and citizens. The huge public support for the day led to the spread of the programmes state-wide and the central programme in Guwahati began to host athletes.<ref name=":6" />

==== 24th ====
The 24th Abhiruchi sports day in 2007 took place in 104 places across the state saw over 5000 joggers run as part of the activities for the event. Baruah along with [[Monalisa Baruah Mehta]] and [[Kamlesh Mehta]] were the chief guests of the event. In the Abhiruchi awards, 26 sportsperson, four coaches and six heads of education institutions were bestowed honours. Mehta said at the event that Assam had developed world class infrastructure and could host future international events.<ref name=":4" />

==== 37th ====
The 37th Abhiruchi sports day took place in 2020, but due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 Pandemic]] the normal events of mass jogging, dance competitions and athlete felicitation were postponed. [[Tayabun Nisha]] and Purnananda Baruah, brother of Bhogeswar Baruah, were among the chief guests at the function held at the Gauhati Press Club that was presided over by Chakravarty.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2020-09-04 |title=The 37th Abhiruchi Sports Day was celebrated in Guwahati |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/the-37th-abhiruchi-sports-day-was-celebrated-in-guwahati-499367 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The Sentinel |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=The Assam |date=2010-09-15 |title=Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://assamtribune.com/abhiruchi-sports-day |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== 38th ====
The 38th Abhiruchi sports day took place in 2021 also during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 Pandemic]], and events were again reduced. The cycle rally was held from Chandmari Flyover to the [[Nehru Stadium, Guwahati|Nehru Stadium]], and was flagged off by Minister [[Bimal Bora]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-03 |title=38th Abhiruchi Sports Day celebrated |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/local-sports/38th-abhiruchi-sports-day-celebrated-553276 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The Sentinel |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Guwahati Observes Abhiruchi Sports Day Today, September 3 |url=https://www.guwahatiplus.com/guwahati/guwahati-observes-abhiruchi-sports-day-today-september-3 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=www.guwahatiplus.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== 40th ====
The 40th Abhiruchi sports day was held over a 2 day celebration, where the usual mass jogging event was held along with the sports quiz and the felicitation programme of athletes. Over 50 athletes from Assam were awarded honours in the ceremony, and the RG Baruah award was also bestowed in the 40th Abhiruchi sports day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-02 |title=40th Abhiruchi Sports Day celebration to kick off on Sunday |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/local-sports/40th-abhiruchi-sports-day-celebration-to-kick-off-on-sunday-665296 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-03 |title=Assam celebrates 40th Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://northeastlivetv.com/topnews/assam-celebrates-40th-abhiruchi-sports-day/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Northeast Live |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Attendees ===
Athletes at the early Abhiruchi sports days included [[Milkha Singh]] in 1986, and [[Talimeren Ao]] and [[M. P. Ganesh|M.P. Ganesh]] in 1987. Since then, further athletes including [[Prakash Padukone]], [[Kapil Dev]], [[Ajit Wadekar]], [[Shiny Abraham|Shiny Wilson]], [[Vandana Rao]], [[Dutee Chand]], [[Kunjarani Devi]], [[Khajan Singh]], [[Manohar Aich]], [[Monika Devi]], [[Anjum Chopra]],<ref name=":3" /> and [[Praveen Kumar (cricketer)|Praveen Kumar]] have all attended the event.<ref name=":10" />

Political figures including successive Chief Ministers [[Tarun Gogoi]],<ref name=":4" /> [[Sarbananda Sonowal]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2015 |title=Abhiruchi to miss sheen |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/abhiruchi-to-miss-sheen/cid/1394412 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph India}}</ref> and [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]] have either attended or taken part in the activities of the sports day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=Assam CM felicitates state sports award winners on Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-cm-felicitates-state-sports-award-winners-on-abhiruchi-sports-day-1084841-2024-09-03 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=India Today NE |language=hi}}</ref>

== Influence and legacy ==
=== Significance ===
[[Kamlesh Mehta]] described the Abhiruchi Sports Day as a "unique initiative", particularly as it honours Baruah in his lifetime. Chakravarty assessed in 2007 that the sports day had done enough to make Baruah a "familiar face in almost every household across the state."<ref name=":5" />

Filmmaker [[Utpal Borpujari]] as a student participated in the first celebrations of the event, and also from 1986 to 1990 where he volunteered for the organising team. He stated in 2022 that he did not think anywhere else in India a sportsperson's birthday was celebrated as a state sports day, (the national sports day in India began 28 years after the Abhiruchi initiative in Assam).<ref name=":6" />

Activities for the event still took place despite environment or political issues, including during floods<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2004 |title=39 in roll of honour - 21st Abhiruchi Sports Day to be celebrated sans frills |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/39-in-roll-of-honour-21st-abhiruchi-sports-day-to-be-celebrated-sans-frills/cid/719414 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=The Telegraph India}}</ref> and the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 Pandemic]].<ref name=":7" /> The event has also been used to raise awareness of sports politically, with there being appeals to the government to provide further assistance to different sports organisations promoting sports in the state.<ref name=":7" />

=== Cultural impacts ===
==== Promotion of sports for youth ====
At the 2007 Abhiruchi sports day, Chief Minister [[Tarun Gogoi]] called for special attention school-level sports, with there being many school children among the 5000 runners who participated in the events of the day.<ref name=":4" />

[[Laishram Sarita Devi]] stated in the 2023 that the honouring of Baruah in the Abhriuchi sports day would help to "inspire the new generation to come into the sport".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-03 |title=Abhiruchi Sports Day celebrated: Bring children in sports to make NE drug free: Sarita |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/local-sports/abhiruchi-sports-day-celebrated-bring-children-in-sports-to-make-ne-drug-free-sarita-665523 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People |language=en}}</ref> Olympic medalist [[Lovlina Borgohain]] counselled young athletes at the 2024 Abhiruchi sports day to put in effort to try to make their dreams into reality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-04 |title=Abhiruchi Sports Day celebrated in Guwahati city |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/local-sports/abhiruchi-sports-day-celebrated-in-guwahati-city |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The Sentinel |language=en}}</ref>

==== Athlete recognition ====
{{Main|Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards}}
The Bhogeswar Baruah national sports awards were established in 2025, which were bestowed on the Abhiruchi Sports Day, in the categories of Best Sportsperson, Emerging Player and Lifetime Achievement at both national and Assam levels. Several notable Assamese athletes and dignitaries attended the inaugural ceremony of the sports awards including [[Lovlina Borgohain]], Union Minister Sonowal and Chief Minister Sarma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=The Assam |date=2025-11-04 |title=New drought-resistant rice ‘Arun’ launched to help farmers facing erratic weather |url=https://assamtribune.com/assam/new-drought-resistant-rice-arun-launched-to-help-farmers-facing-erratic-weather-1596869 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=assamtribune.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Economic influence ===
In 2016, the "Run Raise Respond" [[Half marathon|half-marathon]] was held during the Abhiruchi sports day which was used to raise funds for directly supporting local entrepreneurs and support flood relief activities in [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rudreswar Deka emerges winner of 'Run Raise Respond' North East - Guwahati Half-Marathon on Abhiruchi Sports Day |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/rudreswar-deka-emerges-winner-of-run-raise-respond-north-east-guwahati-half-marathon-on-abhiruchi-sports-day-116090300386_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718235420/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/rudreswar-deka-emerges-winner-of-run-raise-respond-north-east-guwahati-half-marathon-on-abhiruchi-sports-day-116090300386_1.html |archive-date=2025-07-18 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[National Sports Day]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=Bardoloi |first=Narayan |title=সোণালী দৌৰ |title-link= |publisher=Biplab Baruwa |year=2019 |isbn= |location=India |language=Assamese |trans-title=Golden race}}
{{Refend}}

{{Assam}}

[[Category:1984 establishments in Assam]]
[[Category:Sport in Assam]]
[[Category:Observances in India]]
[[Category:September observances]]

Abhiruchi Sports Day - Revision history

Sougataghosh at 01:20, 5 February 2026