55 KSRP personnel Karnataka Darshan cyclothon arrives in Udupi
Udupi: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, 55 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel are on a two-week 1,700-km cycling expedition.
In the two-week cyclothon, named “Karnataka Darshan,” policemen are pedalling imported bicycles, spreading the message of Swachh Bharat. The tour which began on July 12, reached Udupi district from Shivamogga on July 21 and will conclude on July 25 at Bengaluru.
The tour which started from Bidar will end at Bengaluru on July 25, during which 15 cities, 25 districts, and important cultural heritage sites of Hampi, Moodbidri, Mysuru, Belur, and Vijayapura among others will be covered.
The rally is been led by Bhaskar Rao, Additional Director-General of Police, KSRP. Speaking to the media persons Bhaskar Rao said that this is the first time the police force is taking part in such a rally. The objectives of the rally are broad, covering tourism and heritage, spreading awareness on open-defecation, road safety, promoting greenery by planting a sapling everyday by all participating personnel in places they visit. Over 7,500 saplings are expected to be planted during the rally.
There have been highest deaths, including suicides, ill health and for other reasons by KSRP personnel over the past six months, there is a need to boost their morale. The cycle expedition is expected not only to improve inter-personal bonding among the men, but also instill confidence about the police in public. On a minimum, the men will be cycling around 150 km a day, with the highest being 220 km on the undulating roads. The cycles have been imported from Indonesia, Bhaskar Rao said.
The KSRP cyclists were also joined by various members of local cycling associations at each halt, and policemen from the local police stations. They have received an overwhelming response from various district units. On July 25 we will reach Bengaluru Vidhana Soudha where Chief minister of Karnataka and State sports and youth affairs minister Pramod Madhwaraj will receive the team. The sports minister has given Rs. 5 lakhs for this Karnataka Darshan Rally. He has supported this rally and today we will meet and honour him. On July 22 morning at 5 am we will continue our rally from Mangaluru to Hassan District he added.