Walk, Breathe, Relax in ‘Arise Awake Acupressure Park’ launched by RK Mission

Walk, Breathe, Relax in ‘Arise Awake Acupressure Park’ launched by RK Mission

You can now Walk, Breathe, Relax in the Renovated ‘Arise Awake Acupressure Park’ launched by Ramakrishna Mission-Mangaluru located in front of Pawan apartments, Karangalpady, Mangaluru, as part of “Ramakrishna Mission Swacchata Abhiyan” for a cleaner and greener Mangaluru.

Mangaluru: Wow- It’s one of a unique kind of park in Mangaluru, having a 220 ft long Acupressure Walking Track done using round pebbles, First of its kind to be installed in Park in Mangaluru, along with Water fountain with LED, Seating arrangements, garden, grass lawn and lighting arrangements which are added attractions. This is part of the 21st week of the Abhiyan undertaken by Ramakrishna Mission Swacchata Abhiyan, which has entered 4th phase and has successfully completed 20 weeks of Abhiyan in the current phase. On this occasion the renovated park in Karangalpady-Mangaluru was inaugurated this morning, Sunday 25 March 2018. Along with cleanliness drive beautification and repair of civic amenities has been stressed under the Abhiyan.

Briefing on this project, Swami Ekagamyanandaji, Convener, Ramakrishna Mission Swacchata Abhiyan said, “The park in front of Pawan Apartment in Karangalpady was in ruins for the past few years due to neglect and poor maintenance. It had turned into den of illegal activities and anti-social elements. Local citizens had sought the interference of many private & government agencies for its repair and renovation. Last year the local citizens along with the local corporator approached Ramakrishna Mission and requested to renovate the park under its Swacchata Abhiyan. Ramakrishna Mission had assured them that if they can get NOC from the Mangaluru City Corporation and the previous NGO which was maintaining the park, it will take up the task. After getting the NOC, our Ashrama started the renovation work, and I am happy that it got completed in the desired time, and now the residents of this area and citizens can enjoy all facilities this Arise Awake park can offer”.

The renovated park has been named “Arise Awake”, taken from the famous quote of Swami Vivekananda. The concrete letters “Arise Awake” on the compound walls of the park attract one and all. Surrounding the park, a small footpath has been made. Small area lying beside the park has been converted into parking lot using interlock tiles for the public using the park. MRPL has sponsored the renovation work. MCC has sponsored the Interlock tiles and footpath. Local residents too have joined in this noble cause. Regarding the Acupressure walking track-it is a Path made of pebble stones. Walking bare foot on this path will help in activating the nerves and veins and blood movement. This is also a type of exercise suggested by doctors. With the aim of introducing this in Mangaluru, the concept was planned by the Ashrama.

This renovated park was inaugurated on this Sunday morning, 25th March at 7.30 am. by MLA JR Lobo, in the presence of Swami Jitakamanandaji, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru; Bhaskar K Moily, MCCMayor, MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik, Rajaneesh, Former ex- MCC Deputy Mayor, Prakash B SalianCouncillor/Corporator of the Area Ward, MCC and Prashanth Baliga -Chief Manager CCR- MRPL, Mangaluru. After the inauguration by cutting the ribbon, all the dignitaries along with the crowd took a tour inside the park. The Water Fountain was turned on by Capt Ganesh Karnik by turning on the switch button in the switch box.

Addressing the gathering Capt Ganesh Karnik said, “When PM Modi had launched the Swachh Bharath Campaign he had said “Cleanliness is next to Godliness. This is a massive mass movement, that seeks to create a Clean India. Cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi’s heart. A clean India is the best tribute we can pay to Bapu when we celebrate his 150th birth anniversary in 2019. Mahatma Gandhi devoted his life so that India attains ‘Swarajya’. Now the time has come to devote ourselves towards ‘Swachchata’ (cleanliness) of our motherland. I urge every one of you to devote at least hundred hours every year, that is two hours every week towards cleanliness. We can’t let India remain unclean any longer. I appeal to everyone, particularly political and religious leadership, mayors, sarpanchs and captains of industry to plan and wholeheartedly engage in the task of cleaning your homes, work places, villages, cities and surroundings. I request your active support and participation in our collective quest to make a Swachh Bharat.” And I am sure that majority of citizens took PM’s message very seriously, and engaged themselves in this Campaign- and that’s what we are seeing here in Mangaluru”.

Capt Karnik further said, “Not only we should keep our surroundings clean, but also our hearts and minds, and live in peace and harmony in the society without any disharmony, clashes and hatred. We should be proud to note that this park which was once a garbage dumping yard for the apartment residents around here, and also which was a place for illegal,activities has been transformed into a beautiful park. We need to commend corporator Prakash Salian, and also the two strong pillars of Ramakrishna Mission Umanath Kotian and DilrajAlva for their tireless efforts in turning this pace into a marvelous park. Along with Ramakrishna mission, we should all join in this campaign to make our city green and clean”.

MLA J R Lobo addressing the gathering said, “This is indeed a happy day for the residents of this vicinity and others. It’s amazing to see that in such a small space, this park has provided all the major facilities -kudos to everyone behind this project. This morning while I was coming out of the church, a film producer doing shooting in town said that Mangaluru is a clean and beautiful city- these comments by him really touched me a lot, and we should be all proud that our City is getting such praises. I like to compliment corporator Prakash Salian, that irrespective of any political party, he has made this project happen. Just like this once a dilapidated park, we should also see that other such parks are renovated too. Let’s all commend all those people behind this unique and great project”

Also speaking on the occasion, Swami Jitakamanandaji, corporator Prakash Salian and MCC Mayor BhaskerMoily also thanked everyone who joined hands in this project to materialize, and urged the citizens to continue such community projects for the betterment of the City and its citizens. Following the formal function of the Park inauguration, the 21st Ramakrishna Mission Swacchata Abhiyan was flagged off by all the dignitaries. Areas around Karangalpady, Jail Road and in that vicinity was cleaned by a huge battalion of enthusiastic, dedicated and committed volunteers of this Abhiyan. Until the next 22nd Abhiyan, please keep your surroundings clean- and DON’T depend on the RKM Volunteers to clean up your mess-you know what I mean-Thank You!