‘Mathadanada Kadege Namma Nade 2019’- SVEEP Dist Level 18-Km Marathon Kicks Off
Mangaluru: While many citizens of in and around Mangaluru were still in bed, but a few thousand of young and adult citizens of DK got up early and converged near Mangala Stadium to take part in the District Level 18-Km Marathon, and other walks and Runs in various categories of age. The Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Committee, Dakshina Kannada organized a district-level 18-km marathon in the city today (Sunday) March 31 at 7 a.m. to create awareness on the need to vote in the Lok Sabha election. The distance of the run had been intentionally kept at 18 km, since the date of polling in the district is April 18 and the eligible age to become a voter is 18.
The marathon is jointly organised by Dakshina Kannada district administration, DK Zilla Panchayat, Mangalore City Corporation, department of youth empowerment and sports and Nehru Yuva Kendra. The slogan of the marathon is “Mathadanada Kadege Namma Nade 2019”, and the marathon was conducted in two categories — one for those aged less than 16 and the other for those aged above 16, which was followed by a walk for senior citizens and others. The marathon for those aged less than 16, which was flagged off first, was flagged off from Mangala Stadium and culminated at Mangala Stadium, after going through Mannagudda, Kudroli, Car Street, Central Market, Hampankatta, PVS Circle, Ballalbagh and Lalbagh.
This was followed by the marathon for those aged above 16, and the route for this one was- Mangala Stadium, Mannagudda, Kudroli, Car Street, Sharavu Temple Road, K.S. Rao Road, Navbharat Circle, PVS Circle, Kadri Temple Road, Bejai, KSRTC Road, Lalbagh Junction, Kapikkad, Daddalkad, Urwa Stores, Ashok Nagar, Urwa Market, Lady Hill and back to Mangala stadium. Later, the walk for senior citizens and others was also organised from the stadium via Mannagudda, Ballalbagh, Lalbagh and Lady Hill. The walk stretched for about six kilometers, and many energetic and “Young” Senior Citizens took part.
The different categories of Marathon were flagged off by DC Sasikanth Senthil, Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil, IGP of Western Range Arun Chakravarthy, Superintendent of Police BR Ravikante Gowda, DCP Hanumantharaya, chairman of the committee and Chief Executive Officer of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Dr Selvamani R., among many other district officials. Cash prizes were given to the winners. Since the committee had urged college students and others to participate in the run and the walk in large numbers, many did oblige. Banks and other sponsors had come forward to participate in the run.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, CEO of ZP Dr Selvamani R said, “The SVEEP committee is also organizing a Rangoli, drawing and photography contest on the theme of election and democracy at Town Hall on April 4. Rangoli and drawing will be organised for women and senior citizens. A photography contest open to all would be held”.
