Ahead of the 2nd edition of Konark International Cyclothon (KIC) and the ‘let’s Pedal National Expedition 2016’which will kick off on December 17 in the State, a curtain-raiser event was inaugurated in New Delhi on Saturday.
Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram Meghawal flagged off the event. More than 100 bicycle enthusiasts, celebrities and corporate leaders participated in the cyclothon covering 20 km from Ghitorni to India Gate via Qutub Minar.
Meghwal, who himself is a seasoned cyclist and goes to Parliament and his constituency by bicycle, said the cheering crowd, “India is a signatory to the Paris agreement and committed to reduce its carbon footprint. It’s good that the youngsters are coming forward
for the green cause. The campaign ‘cycling to work’ is a welcome step in right direction.”
State Panchayati Raj and law Minister Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo joined the closing ceremony at India Gate as chief guest. Praising the efforts of the organiser, Dr Sahoo reminded the journey of late Biju Pattnaik from Cuttack to Peshawar.
This 3,000 km long Cyclothon by Patnaik and his friends in pre-independence time was perhaps the first cyclothon effort by a proud Odia leader, said Sahoo. Cheering up the audience Dr Sahoo said, the history is repeating itself and the ‘lets Pedal’ national campaign is happening from the soil of Odisha.
Olympian sprinter and the fastest Indian female Dutee Chand was full of praise for the organiser and said the habit of cycling increases heart functioning and keeps you fit and fine. Cycling and swimming is the best sports for fitness, she further added.
Sudhir Kumar Dash, organiser of the Konark International Cyclothon, emphasised the increasing pollution in metro cities. While raising concern about road safety for cycling commuter, Dash suggested bringing a law for traffic management of pedestrian and cycling concerning road safety.
The KIC will be started from Bhubaneswar where more than 1,000 cycle enthusiasts will participate in the grand event and reach Konark, covering 90 km enrouting Dhauli, Puri, Marine drive road and some other heritage places.
The let’s Pedal will commence from Konark on the same day, i.e. on December 17 afternoon. A selected team of seasoned cyclists will participate in the fortnight long cycle expedition.
Enrouting 20 cities, 6 States and 15 heritage places, the team will reach Delhi on December 31and there will be a grand felicitation and cultural fest at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on January 1on the eve of New Year.