A large number of doctors from Guwahati took part in an early morning walkathon today at the Sarusajai Sports Complex as part of the IOACON Walkathon 2025. The event aimed to spread awareness on the importance of bone, joint and musculoskeletal health. The walkathon was organised in association with actor and fitness champion Milind Soman, who led the participants during the walk.
The organisers said the walkathon was planned to inspire community members to adopt healthy habits and engage in regular movement. The initiative highlights the growing need for preventive care, early awareness and active lifestyles to support long-term wellness of bones and joints.Many senior and young orthopaedicians from the city joined the walk alongside residents and volunteers.
Speaking at the venue before the walk began, Milind Soman said he was excited to be part of the event in Guwahati. He told the gathering that he travels across the country for various fitness and awareness campaigns, but he had rarely seen such a huge gathering of doctors participating together in a walkathon. He described the moment as special and thanked the participants for showing interest in fitness and preventive health. 
Soman said that fitness is a simple but important component of daily life. He said that even small exercises done regularly can make a big difference over time. He advised the crowd to include simple movements such as push-ups in their daily routine. He said that push-ups not only increase strength but also support cardiovascular fitness, and can be done easily at home or at work without equipment. He said that fitness should be seen not as a difficult task but as a habit that can be developed with consistency.
During his brief address, he also highlighted a concern about the health of medical professionals themselves. He said that while doctors advise the public to stay healthy, nearly 30 percent of doctors in the country fail to take care of their own physical fitness. This, he said, was worrying because doctors should lead by example and inspire their patients through their own practice of healthy living. He encouraged doctors to make time for exercise and self-care, even with busy schedules, and reminded them that their health is equally important.
Orthopaedicians present at the walkathon shared that musculoskeletal problems are increasingly affecting people across age groups due to sedentary lifestyles, long screen time hours, lack of exercise, and poor posture. They said early awareness, preventive care, and correct posture can reduce long-term health risks and lower the burden on healthcare systems in the future.
