1st of its Kind ‘Cycle Rally’ by St Aloysius High School Students to Promote ‘Harmony’
First of its Kind ‘Cycle Rally’ by St Aloysius High School (SAHS) Students to Promote ‘Harmony’ Kicked Off at 7am on Sunday, 29 October at St Aloysius High School ground- which was flagged off by Fr Dionysius Vaz Sj-Rector of St Aloysius Institutions-Mangaluru; along with Raymond D’souza- Alumni of St Aloysius College, and Former ‘Mr World 1990-Japan); Actor V J Vineeth of 2017 Kannada Romantic movie ‘Ondu Motteya Kathe (Story of Egghead); and also a Alumni of SAHS; Fr Gerald Furtado- Headmaster of SAHS; Gopal Krishna S- Asst.HM-SAHS; and other Jesuit priests and teachers. The Rally culminated at St Aloysius PUC grounds for the Closing Ceremony.
Mangaluru: Historically speaking, St Aloysius High School (SAHS) -Mangaluru was the first among the Aloysian Institutions which was started in 1880. The High school building is the most ancient among the many structures that have come to bear witness to the phenomenal growth of over more than 130 plus years. Thousands of students have passed through her portals and now are serving the country and abroad in different capacities. What is remarkable is the fact that the school has students that hail from various economic backgrounds with a healthy mix of students of various faiths. This has given rise to a rich and harmonious blend of students of various backgrounds. The classification of the entire student body into four houses helps in further breaking all barriers and differences based on their backgrounds.The High School consists of classes eight, nine and ten. And for the FIRST time in the HISTORY of St Aloysius High School, the ‘Cycle Rally’ was held to bring awareness about “Harmony” and “Peace” in the Community in Generals, also to bring awareness about Pollution and Green Environment.
Sunday, 29 October 2017 – Being a lazy Sunday while most of the young and old citizens were still on bed, but nearly 200 young enthusiastic students of St Aloysius High School got up early and rode their bicycles to take part in the “Cycle Rally”, organized by their School in association with Mangalore Cycle Club. The main purpose of the rally was to bring awareness among the citizens to observe harmony and peace in the society, along with to keep the City Clean and ‘Make Mangaluru Best City” and “A Green Environmental City” . The organizers also wanted to stress on the importance of making the youth aware of the advantages of cycling, with an objective to promote cycling as means of transport in the region, a good source of exercising to keep healthy, along with preserving the environment.
A young girl participant who was joined by her brother, a student at SAHS said that she wanted to see a clean and green Mangaluru, and also want to spread a message that people irrespective of caste or religion should live in harmony and peace- and not spread the venom of hate and communal disharmony which we are seeing these days. Raj, a Xth std student said, “Cycling is Eco-friendly, good for health and saves petrol. Cycling is low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. Regular cycling has many physical and mental health benefits. It is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems.”
Also speaking to Team Mangalorean, a teacher of SAHS who also rode in the rally said, “To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Also riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. And to promote the benefits of cycling and educate the young about cycling this is a very a good initiative, wherein we are also bringing awareness on Harmony and Clean environment”.
Prior to the flag off, Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz Sj addressing the gathering said, ” This is a very good concept initiated by Fr Gerald Furtado, the HM of SAHS wherein the young are involved to bring awareness on Harmony, and also on Pollution and environment. When we are witnessing disharmony and hatred in the society lately, this awareness cycle rally on Harmony, and that too through message spread by these youngsters will surely make a big impact on the society. If any one desires to be a part of environmental protection and also remain fit, using bicycle for mobility is the best way. Promotion of cycling can mitigate to a large extent India’s woes on surging fuel demand, environmental pollution, traffic snarls and health disorders. Best of luck to all the participants and ride safe”.
After the flag off, around 20 members of Mangalore Cycle Club led the Rally followed by the students of SAHS, and they passed through Light House Hill Road, Bunts Hostel Rd; MG Road; towards Lady Hill and finally culminating at the St Aloysius PUC Grounds for the closing ceremony. This was not a Race or Competition, but to encourage the young and also to bring awareness on Harmony. After a sumptuous breakfast served to all the participants, the valedictory of the ‘Cycle Rally’ began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by SAHS students. Being proud of his initiative by introducing this First concept of Cycle Rally at SAHS, Headmaster Fr Gerald Furtado Sj in his welcome address urged the students to be not only active in their academics, but also take up co-curricular activities, including cycling which will keep them more active and fit, and by organizing such awareness rally’s a change could be made in the community.
Also speaking during the occasion, guests of the day-Raymond D’souza and V J Vineeth, both being proud Alumni of St Aloysius Institutions expressed their gratitude to their Alma Mater, and thanking the Jesuit priests and their teachers for molding them to be responsible citizens of the country, they urged the young students to avail all the opportunities that this institution has to offer, and also feel proud to be students of SAHS, where one day you too also will be responsible citizens of India- but always remember your Alma Mater, no matter where you go and in what post you are- A Aloysian is Always a Aloysian!
Also speaking, Donny Menezes-President of Mangalore Cycle Club said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” had said Albert Einstein. I have benefited a lot, including relieving himself from various health problems from regularly cycling. Even today I have great passion for cycling and enjoyed this hobby by pedalling for fun and glory, and this sport has kept me moving in his life. Cycling makes you- Sleep more deeply; Look younger; Boosts your bowels; Increases your brain power; Beats illness; Live longer; Save the planet; Heal your heart; Lose weight in the saddle; Avoid pollution; Enjoy healthy family time etc etc. So, if you’re feeling tired, take a ride! And you all being quite young, start the Cycling hobby, and you’ll not regret for taking up this hobby”.
To entertain the crowd, a few daring Cycle stunts were performed by the Team Members of “Team Trip Tronicz”, who are all the alumni of St Aloysius HS and PUC- they all enthralled the crowd with their acrobatics. Participation certificates along with a medal was presented to all the Cyclists. The vote of thanks was proposed by Asst. HM of SAHS, Gopal Krishna S- and the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony was compered by Praveen Lobo (Physical Director) and Lancy D’souza (Teacher) respectively.
In conclusion/perspective- if you never rode a bicycle before, it’s not too late, you still can do it, and feel the benefits and difference it makes in your lifestyle. They say that Bicycling, along with being the most efficient mode of human locomotion, is also one of the best all-around activities for improving our health. From head to toes, cycling’s health benefits are hard to beat. Cycling is good for your heart; Cycling is good for your muscles;Cycling is good for your waistline; Cycling is good for your lifespan; Cycling is good for your coordination; Cycling is good for your mental health and Cycling is good for your immune system-it can strengthen your immune system, and could protect against certain kinds of diseases, including cancer. Let’s go cycling, and keep the environment pollution free. Let’s make Mangaluru Pollution Free! Let’s make ‘Mangaluru Environmental Friendly! And also through Cycle Rally’s let’s bring awareness on various issues, thereby making a difference in the society. Kudos to the management, Energetic and Bubbling Teachers, Staff and Students of SAHS and Mangalore Cycle Club members for a Unique, Effective and Successful Event! You Go Aloysians!
