Udupi: Anil Rana, director, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), MAHE, is quite literally setting the pace by running alongside students and inspiring a culture of fitness on campus.Starting his day at 5.30am, Rana is a familiar face at the institute’s gym inside Marena Sports Complex. But what has truly struck a chord with students is his active participation in the now-popular ‘Run with the Director’ initiative. What began as an extension of an earlier ‘Walk with the Director’ programme during student orientation evolved into a regular fitness movement, with various student clubs inviting the director to join their runs every alternate day. Coming from a long career in the Navy, Rana places strong emphasis on physical fitness as a cornerstone of holistic education. “There is a basic threshold one needs to cross. Once you get into the habit of running or any physical activity, it transforms you over time,” he said, often encouraging even first-time runners to start small and build endurance gradually.Students see their director not in a formal setting but as a role model who runs, works out, swims and even occasionally joins them for a game of basketball. “This informal engagement has motivated many who had never considered running before. Several students have progressed to participating in marathons within a year or two,” he said.Rana believes that physical activity plays a critical role in shaping character. “It helps build a calm mind and the ability to handle stress better, skills that are essential in the corporate world as well,” he explains.MAHE is developing an expansive, ultra-modern sports facility featuring a FIFA-certified football turf, a synthetic athletic track, a federation-certified hockey turf and a cricket field. The green, open spaces in Manipal further encourage students to take up running or outdoor activities with minimal resources. “We also run a dedicated Centre for Outdoor Studies, which takes students beyond campus for activities such as cycling expeditions in Leh Ladakh and sea kayaking along the coast. The annual marathon hosted by MAHE on the first Sunday of Feb has also grown into a major event, attracting around 20,000 participants from across the country.“In an era marked by rising lifestyle-related health concerns and academic pressures, such initiatives are quietly transforming campus culture,” he added.
