World Physical Activity Day 2011

The Centre for Control of Chronic Diseases in Bangladesh (CCCDB) of ICDDR,B, in collaboration with the Staff Welfare Association, observed World Physical Activity Day on 6 April 2011. Like the previous year, a colourful rally and an aerobic session were organised to mark the event, and CCCDB designed posters, banners, festoons, specially-produced T-shirts and caps with the theme of the day ‘Together for an active and happy life’.

The World Physical Activity Day was initiated by Brazil-based organisation Agita Mundo. This is a global campaign to promote physical activity as a key part of health and well-being.

In the morning of 6 April, ICDDR,B staff gathered at the Centre’s headquarters at Mohakhali, Dhaka to participate in the rally. Starting from ICDDR,B at 9am, the rally proceeded to the T&T playground in Banani and returned to ICDDR,B after a one-hour speedy march. The participants of the rally chanted slogans about the importance of regular exercise to a healthy life. The rally was followed by a lively aerobics exercise session with enthusiastic participation by ICDDR,B staff. At the end of the exercise a discussion and a question-answer session was arranged to give a detailed view of the benefits of aerobics and physical activities.

Head of CCCDB Professor Louis Wilhelmus Niessen and President of Staff Welfare Association of ICDDR,B Ms Farzana Shahnaz Majid delivered motivational speeches during the event.