* VC JU flags off cyclists
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Jammu, Nov 22:Twenty-one students set off on a month-long cyclothon from Jammu to Kanyakumari for the cause of girls’ education.
The 3,700-km cyclothon has been organised by P N Doshi Women’s College in Mumbai in collaboration with Jammu University’s Directorate of Sports and Physical Education.
Jammu University Vice Chancellor Manoj K Dhar flagged off the cyclothon.
Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, said the team of 21 amateur enthusiastic girl cyclists would propagate the message of girl’s education during the cyclothon, which would culminate at Kanyakumari on December 25.
“By participating in a traditionally male-dominated domain of adventure sports, these girls wish to spread awareness about women empowerment through education,” he said.
Congratulating the participants and organisers, the vice chancellor advised the participants to actively participate in such sports activities for physically fitness and mental toughness.
He congratulated the cyclists for becoming an ambassador of awareness for the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign.
Director, Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Syed Sehrish Asgar, gave a pep talk to the students on the eve of the cyclothon, terming the event “extraordinary”.
“Events like these will help in encouraging other girl students in breaking the shackles and doing extraordinary things,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of education, the DIPR director said education was the right of every girl child and they should not shy away from realising their dreams.
“Girl students have the potential to move the country towards the path of development and progress. Every girl has the capability to achieve greatness but the only thing they need to do is have confidence and self-belief,” she said.
Prominent among others who were present included Dr Asha Menon, Principal SPN Doshi College, Dr. S. Kumudhavalli, Director, SPN Doshi College, Abhay Khethni, Trustee, Piyush Avalani, Trustee, Gunwant Rachh and Sanjay Patel, Incharges of Cyclothon, Rajesh Sharma, Territory Manager, Rajesh Padha, Marathon runner, Vikas Karlopia, Ravish Vaid, Raj Kumar Bakshi, Gagan Kumar, PD Singh, Sanjay Verma, Sanjeev Sharma, and officers of BPCL, HPCL, FIREFOX, members of the civil society.
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