SVEEP Holds Cycle Rally ‘Peddling for Vote – Every Vote Counts’
Mangaluru: The SVEEP committee and MCC jointly organized a Cycle rally “Peddling for Vote”, to bring awareness among the people about voting for the forthcoming Assembly elections from Nehru Maidan here on April 29.
CEO of Zilla Panchayat Dr M R Ravi flagged off the Cycle Rally.
Addressing the gathering Cyclist Anil Shet from Mangaluru Cycle Club said, “Cycling is my passion. I had a high blood pressure but after I started Cycling regularly I lost nearly 20 kgs of my weight. I ride every day from 5:30 to 7:30 am. On Sunday’s we pedal about 80 to 90 km going to Udupi, Kundapur etc. Cycling in good for health and keeps us fit and healthy.
Cyclist P A Mohammed speaking on the occasion said, “Anil Shet has been encouraging us a lot. Cycling is good for health and keeps us fit, it is also good for the environment. People should use the bicycle to travel short distances like 5 to 10 km instead of using motorcycles or four-wheelers”.
ZP CEO Dr Ravi said, “DK SVEEP committee in association with MCC organized the cycle rally to create awareness among the people about voting. You are cycling for your health and for the environment but for a change, you must be proud that today you are cycling for the country and you are cycling for democracy. This is another dimension of the cycling activity. All these days we were conscious about our health and environment but today you are trying to take it to the next level of connecting cycling to a bigger goal called patriotism that is where every activity of human beings gets social support and recognition”.
Dr Ravi also said, “Today all the cyclists are here to create awareness about voting. On May 12, all those who have completed 18 years should go to the booth to cast their valuable votes. We should participate in the voting system, when we have the right to cast our vote we should not waste it. It is an important opportunity to cast our vote. Some are very hesitant to cast their votes. We have to show that we are the citizens of this country and the constitution has given us our rights. Through this system, we are trying to be participants in the developmental activities of the country and trying to take part in the nation-building activities. Casting the vote is the national duty and social responsibility. Try to sensitize people through the cycle rally. In the South constituency, a majority of the people are highly qualified and well organized but the sad part is that in the last elections the lowest turn out for voting was in the South constituency where only 65% of the voters had cast their votes. Through cycling, you are giving a strong message that this time 100% voting should be done and those who are uncertain should also come out and cast their votes on May 12.”
Comedy King Naveen D Padil and Magician Kudroli Ganesh were also present. The Cycle rally culminated at the Karavali grounds. MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazir delivered the vote of thanks.
Pics by Astel Pereira, Team Mangalorean