The Roots of Odisha Foundation’s 4th annual cycling event, “TourdeKalinga”, an eco-friendly with community participation cycling expedition, flagged off by Governor Ganeshi Lal at Bhubaneswar on December 8, reached here on Monday.
The team of cyclists, which comprises noted social activists, scribes, environmentalists, doctors, lawyers, jawans and intellectuals, are moving in cycles to promote tourism in the State and to make the overseas tourists aware about the natural beauties and cultural posterities of Odisha.
This cycling team came from Satapada of Puri district on Sunday evening and corssed Brahmapur old bus stand on Monday morning. Locals gave an impressive reception to the team. Then the team proceeded towards Chandragiri.
According to information, 30 persons from 15 States have joined the national cycling expedition, which has an aim to complete a 1,300-km distance in 13 days. The entire team has been grouped under five groups to sensitise and make people aware of five core issues; birth and death ratio, education for all, say no to tobacco, neonatal mortality, voice against corruption for constructing a new India; and to bring changes in youths, said convener Madhusudan Mishra.
Like international level event like “Tour The France”, we have organised “Tour The Kalinga” to attract foreign tourists and sensitize people what is best for the country, he said.
As per the schedule, the cyclists would now visit Chandragiri, Paralakhemundi, Rayagada, Koraput, Belghar, Phulbani and Nayagarah and would reach Bhubaneswar on December 19.
Lt Col Parminder Kaur of the ‘Neonatal Mortality’ from Delhi, Srinivas Kotni of ‘Education for all’ from Andhra Pradesh, Yogendra Singh from “Eradicate Corruption and Build a New India” from Haryana, Madhusudan Mishra of “Say No to Tobacco” from Puri, Captain Mohit Manaktala from “Youth for Change” from Punjab are participating in the expedition, among others.