Panaji,3 June 2022
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Goa, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, organised a State Level Bicycle Rally on the occasion of World Bicycle Day, June 3, 2022, as a part of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. Shri Nilkanth Halarnkar, Minister for Fisheries, Government of Goa, along with other dignitaries flagged off the Rally in the morning from Pedem Sports Complex, which covered the distance of about 7.5 kms till Shriram High School, Colvale, and back.
Shri Nilkanth Halarnkar, commented that Nature is akin to God, and a bicycle rider is one who is opting to save nature. The use of bicycles needs to be increased, for optimum health and wellness, he said. Dr. Nitin Sawant, NSS Co-ordinator, Goa University, said riding a bicycle is not only beneficial to our health but also saves the environment, it minimises the use of motorcars, which in turn minimises the use of petrol and hence saves nature.
Shri Siddhesh Naik, President ZP, North Goa, while speaking on the occasion said, ride a bicycle a day and keep the doctor away. It is also an effective way to protect the environment everyday from pollution caused by motor vehicles. Promoting cycling in our country with a large population like ours will promote fitness and environmental protection. Problems like traffic jams, air pollution, etc. can be minimized to a large extent if one opts bicycle as his vehicle.
Certificates were distributed to the participants after the Rally at the hands of dignitaries. Shri Kalidas Ghatwal, Deputy Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra, earlier welcomed the guests and the gathering. Shri Ajay Gaude, Director, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, and also National Youth Award winner, proposed the vote of thanks. Smt. Shubhangi Vaingankar, Chairperson, Mapusa Municipal Council and Smt. Supriya Arolkar, District Welfare Officer, was present on the occasion.
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in this nationwide event, on 3rd June 2022, organized a grand cycle rally in all the states and union territories. As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Cycle rallies are being organised in 75 Iconic locations across the nation. The programme is unique in terms of scale and outreach as large number of youths from all over the country will be participating in the event on institutional and voluntary basis with the objective of celebrating 75 years of Indian Independence- AzadiKa Amrit Mahobav, to cherish and follow the noble ideas that inspired freedom struggle. The aim is to encourage and motivate people to take up and adopt Cycling in their daily lives for physical fitness activities and get freedom from obesity, laziness, stress, anxiety, diseases etc. By adopting Cycling by common citizens will also facilitate in reducing carbon footprints. Through the Observance of World Bicycle Day, citizens will be given a call to make a resolution to include physical activity at least 30 minutes daily in their lives“FITNESS KI DOSE AADHA GHANTA ROZ”. The program also envisages to enhance the spirit of brotherhood and nationalism, to popularise the usage of cycles to solve the dual issues of global warming and unhealthy lifestyle.
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