Mangaluru, November 28: Svasti Rx Life Trust, is a registered Charitable Trust based in Mannagudda Mangalore. It promotes activities focused on empowerment of children and women.
One such annual event is the Cycle Rally being held on the first Sunday, every year since 2007. The 8th annual Rxlife Hercules Cycle Rally would be flagged off from Lady Hill Circle at 6.30 A.M on the coming Sunday, the 6th of December.
The Rally will be inaugurated by Sri R. Hitendra IPS, Commissioner of Police, Mangalore informed Dr. Gayathri, Trustee of Svasti Rx Life Trust.
Addressing a press meet at the press club in the city on Saturday, November 28th, Dr. Gayathri said, the Rally would cover a distance of 18 Kms, passing through Kottara, Kuloor, Tannirbavi, Kottara – Urvastore – Ashoknagar – Hoigebail – Batteri and concludes at Amrita Vidyalayam School Grounds, Boloor around 9 – 9.30 a.m.
Back ground:
The Mass Cycle Rally, unique to Mangalore started with 240 riders in the year 2007. Over the past seven years this non-commercial, non-competitive event being organised in public interest has been well patronaged by Mangalorean’s. More than 2000 riders participated in last year’s Cycle Rally and the organisers expect a similar turnout on coming Sunday.
Purpose:
The Rally has succeeded in evoking keen interest in Cycling, which apart from being a common man’s mode of transport is also a widely acclaimed fitness routine. Amongst children, cycling inculcates basic riding reflexes, road sense, spirit of adventure and the thrill of balancing on wheels.
The focus this time is Road Safety. The punch line is ‘Safe Roads, Safer Rides’. All the banners and hoardings propagate road safety slogans like ‘Learn to let go’, ‘keep left’; ‘Keep pedalling, you will find your way’, etc.
A group of artists under the leadership of Harish Kodialbail have erected an installation art at Ballalbaggurji circle, using four cycles with wings. The installation shows road safety slogans pasted on Cycle Rims. While the cycle painted red, yellow and green depicts one’s duty to follow the traffic signals, the cycle in blue conveys one’s own commitment to practice them voluntarily.
Enrolment:
Every participant needs to enrol and get a Rider Identity No. Card and Cycle Identity No. Sticker. The enrolment can be made at RXLifecentres in Mannagudda (2457192) or Pandeshwar (wwww.rxlife.in)
To ensure smooth functioning of the Rally last day for enrolement is fixed as 5th December. Both the centres are open from 8.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m.
Arrangements:
Rally desk is functioning from 15th of November at Rx Life, Mannagudda. Enrolment has crossed 1400. Nearly 200 volunteers have enrolled. A pilot jeep would head the rally. An ambulance with Team of Doctors from KSHEMA would follow. Cycle Rescue Vans would attend break down calls. Water points, orange points, dry fruits points would be on the way. Yojaka group has agreed to extend support at the re-grouping point on Tannirbavi Beach.
Volunteers:
Members of YHAI, Team Mangalore, Rxlife Family, SICASA – C.A. students Association and many others are volunteering to facilitate a smooth Rally.
Mangalore City Police and Traffic Police Division of the city and Suratkal would ensure traffic management.
Prizes:
This is not a Race or Competition. But to encouraging participation. Nine cycles are given away as prizes for lucky riders, which includes senior most lady rider, senior most male rider, Family on wheels, Boys, Girls and volunteers too. These cycles are sponsored by Hercules and Sri K. Ullas Kamath.
Photo Contest: Sponsored by ‘kannadigaworld.com’
A photography contest would be held during the rally. It is open to all. The theme is Cycle Rally. The photo has to be clicked during the Rally (between 6 a.m to 10. a.m.)
- One can send 3 photographs
- No entry fee
- Three prizes Rs. 3,000, Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 1000
- Entries to be mailed to rxlife@hotmail.combefore 10th December, 2014
- Results will be announced on 20th December, 2014.
Last Bite:
The Rally also intends to impress upon the local administration to take Road Safety measures like foot Path, Zebra cross for pedestrians, Two wheeler Lanes, Bus stops, service Roads and pothole free riding roads. It is the dream of every participant to cycle on the Tannirbavi stretch crossing over the hanging bridge at Sultan Batteri, she informed.
In the press meet, trustee Vandana Nayak, convener Giridhar Kamath, and Narendra Nayak were present.
