leading by example Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav participated in 28 km long cycle marathon during Saifai Mahatosov and pedaled over 25 km without a break amid high security. “Cycle is true associate of a poor man. It is a vehicle of poor and does not need petrol or diesel. It saves environment and also make a person healthy,’ Yadav said while flagging off cycle marathon on Tuesday.
After flagging off the cycle marathon, which started from lion Safari on the outskirts of Etawah city, Yadav himself cycled for about 25 km to encourage the cyclists participating in the event. He cycled from St Mary’s school to Saifai amid tight security. His security
accompanied him in motorcycle as Yadav whizzed past villages. Chief Minister said his government is promoting cycle in a big way. My Government has reduced VAT on cycle. “After reduction of VAT now a cycle costs at least Rs 500 cheap,” he said.
This decision has made cycles more popular among poor. We want more and more people should use cycle in their daily lives so cycle tracks are being constructed in lucknow, Noida and Agra it should be made accessible to the people. later Chief Minister distributed prize among the winners. Swapnil of Meerut came first in the marathon and thus won Rs one lakh in cash while Kulveer Yadav and Bhupendra Maurya both from Faizabad came second and third winning prizes Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.
Surprisingly, Swapnil’s paddle broke in the mid of the marathon, but still he came first. Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said this Saifai Mahatsov has promoted rural talents and stressed the need for promoting bi-cycle. He also said rural youths wait for a year for the cycle marathon in Saifai Mahatsov. In another function Chief Minister asked the society to show
compassion towards disabled persons. “They too have the capability and only needs a slight support from the society to show their talent. We should not discard them,” Yadav said while distributing tri-cycle among physically abled persons.
In a function held at Athletics stadium he distributed over 2000 tri-cycle among people drawn from neighbouring districts of Etawah.