VidYouth

Get Set Go! Time to gear up and pedal, as the CYCLATHON is back again with a modified name this time as CYCLE O’ HYD ‘10. This was held on 21st February (Sunday) at 7am at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road.

This event was organized by an NGO named PASSIONATE. This NGO started the Hyderabad’s first ever cyclathon, a bicycle rally to create awareness about the benefits of cycling on 22nd February, 2009, welcoming the youth from everywhere to actively participate. The rally was flagged off  last year by many dignitaries such as A .Chakrapani, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh state legislative council; Kishan Reddy, MLA; Christine Lazarus, nominated member of AP Legislative Assembly; Vinayak , Principal of Abhyasa School and others. “This year also dignitaries like minister Geeta Reddy, MLA Kishan Reddy and a popular actor Raja  were invited,” says Chaitanya, the event coordinator, who is studying in Amity B-school.

It’s a 9kms stretch friendly rally. “The moment it was flagged off the cyclists were seen pedaling upto Sanjeevaiah park and returned to People’s Plaza. This year also the same trend was followed”, explains Alekhya Ganga. Last year forty bicyclists from Hyderabad Bicyclists Club, students from thirty Engineering colleges, such as Malla Reddy, CMR , VJR , School students of Chiranmayananda , Sister Nivedita , Meridian, Abhyasa School etc had participated. “We hired around 250 cycles last time but with an overwhelming response from the youth of Hyderabad we had to conduct the rally in more than 1 trip”, says Nizarg Shah, a volunteer from CMEC. He also added that there were many sponsors like BSA, Fire fox , Hero Cycles etc so did they do this year too.

Volunteers of last year. Credits: Rabble Rouser

Purpose

Passionate Foundation aims at inspiring the citizens of Hyderabad to take up Cycling as a means of transport and save the environmental pollution and degradation. “The Rally aims at making people realize all the advantages of cycling ,which include health reason, traffic pollution, environmental pollution and sustainable source of energy, etc”, says Raza Ali ,a volunteer from Computer Science branch of CMEC.

“The money collected by the passes will be used for the charity purpose so that the unprivileged children can also have cycles.Thus this time its going to be an event for social cause too”, says Alekhya Ganga, a volunteer from CMEC college. Also all the students  taking part in this event will be given a certificate for contributing for a social cause from the NGO.

Cycling is a fantastic workout that not only enables  to drive pleasure but also goes a long way in ensuring over all fitness. “The best part of this sporting activity is that, it’s a delightful experience, without even realizing that it has done good to your body,” quips Neha Singh, a student from CMEC. When one likes pursuing a particular  activity, then carrying it out doesn’t appear cumbersome. There are innumerable benefits of cycling. It minimizes the risk of coronary heart disease and provides protection from the clutches of health problems like stroke, diabetes and cancer. It ensures that the blood pressure is under control.

Volunteers working hard for the smooth conduct of rally. Credit: Raza Ali

“Pursuing cycling helps a great deal in building your stamina, to enable you to carry out your day-to-day activities effectively”, says Swathi Reddy. Cycling is one of the most effective exercises to shed off those extra calories and get rid of flabby abs. Even a small amount of cycling would be a good enough to boost your metabolism level, thereby fastening your weight loss program. It helps to improve the overall balance and coordination . “Look good and feel good factor works for me thereby cycling not only  paves for maintaining health fitness, but also for leading a healthy peaceful life. So stay fit,be healthy and live a long happy life”, states Sonali Verma, a 3rd year B tech student.

The volunteers from CMEC namely Alekhya Ganga , Raza Ali, Nizarg Shah and others have worked hard to make the event a success. They distributed the passes by going door –to- door of every classroom in their college. But the students, who are not from CMEC did not have to worry about the passes, as they were available on the spot too. The participation fee was Rs 30/- .

Venue: People’s Plaza, Necklace Road
Date: 21st February,2010
Time: 7am

Contact:
Chaitanya-9989613749
Raza Ali-9700672384

To know more about this event and cycles, click the link below:

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/02/24/stories/2010022411110100.htm