Record Participation at Saksham Cyclothon Indore

Indore:  Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister for  Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India inaugurated the Saksham Cyclothon event at Indore in the presence of Shri.Kailash Vijayvargiya, President, Indore Cycling Association, Shri Ramesh Mendola, local MLA and other dignitaries.  This largest cycling event witnessed in the country was held today at Sayaji  Square, Indore to raise the social awareness and popularize measures to effectively implement cycling as an environment-friendly alternative means of transport, in order to make the country greener, people healthier and economize fuel. The highlight of the event was the participation in the 13 kms green ride by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Shri Kailash Vijayvargia, Shri Ramesh Mendola and other dignitaries.

 

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in his address touched upon the benefits of cycling. He said that cycling improves one’s health and also helps the nation in petroleum conservation. He appreciated the people of Indore in participating in large numbers in this endeavour of responding to the call of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi towards conserving fuel. He added that a milestone has been set in Indore by creating the largest cycling event till date. 

 

Shri Vijayvargiya praised the initiative by PCRA and Oil Industry and said this will help to spread the message of conservation of petroleum products besides being beneficial for the environment.

 

World over, efforts are on to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels.  In India too, different options are being explored. Cycling is now seen as one of the most cost-effective options that will not only reduce our dependence on fuel, thereby reducing carbon footprints, but also provide us with the regimen needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

Keeping this in mind, Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) in association with IndianOil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Oil India, NRL, GAIL, ONGC- MRPL, CPCL have planned 76 such events across the country to prod people into taking cycling as a mass movement.

Cyclotrons, an initiative by Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), a non-profit organization set up in 1978 under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India is a platform that will create mass awareness for conservation of petroleum products. 

 

The Indore event, in which around 30,000 cyclists participated,  was organised by PCRA and all the above mentioned public sector oil and gas companies ably supported by Indore Cycling Association. The event comprised the following five categories and originated from three places in the city 

 

Elite Cycle Race for Men - 94 kms.

Elite Cycle Race for Women – 60 kms

Amateur Cycle Race for Men – 43 kms

Amateur Cycle Race for Women – 26 kms

Green Ride – 13 kms

 

The most popular category – a non-timed event of 13 km – the Green Ride was an initiative to instil socio-environmental consciousness amongst the people of Indore.

 

Cash prize totalling Rs.12 lakhs were awarded across various categories. In addition, 200 cycles were distributed to  participants through a lucky draw.

 

Popular Sufi singer, Hans Raj Hans regaled the cyclists with rendering of foot tapping numbers which created a mass euphoria among the people

 

The entire event translated to a fun-filled cycling experience on building a community that is aware about its fuel conservation responsibilities.