BHUBANESWAR: A unique cycling expedition Tour de Kalinga is being organized by Roots of Odisha Foundation and Crespai for sensitizing citizens on various social issues.
The ride was flagged off by Governor of Odisha Ganeshi Lal December 8. The tour is scheduled to continue till December 23. 30 members from 10 states of the country participated in the event. The riders were divided into various teams.
The participants are slated to cover 1300 km in 15days. In the first stage, they would ride from Bhubaneswar to Koraput. This would be followed by a ride back to Bhubaneswar via Konark, Puri, Satapada, Malud, Berhampur, Chandragiri, Paralakhemundi, Gunupur, Rayagada and Baliguda among others.
Chairman, Roots of Odisha Foundation, Sudhir Dash said, “This is the 4th edition of the expedition titled Tour de Kalinga. This is the longest community cycling event in the country after the successful completion of its 1st edition from Bhubaneswar to Konark, 2nd edition from Bhubaneswar to Delhi and 3rd edition from Konark to Koraput.”
“This expedition is to make people aware of various social issues for the betterment of society. The participants are from different states of India. This initiative is good for our environment as well as health of individuals. We need to reduce wheeling and start pedaling,” he added.
“I am glad to be a part of this initiative. I am thoroughly enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Odisha,” said Flight service manager Saroj Kumari.
Co-founder and CEO of Nagarro, founder of Rahagiri Manas Fuloria said, “This initiative attempts reduction in usage of cars and increase in the usage of eco friendly locomotive vehicles. Cycling is truly crucial for India as our country faces issues such as air pollution, hazardous diseases and overcrowding among others.”
Long distance cyclist of India Gautam Verma, Lt Col Parminder Kaur from New Delhi, Srinivas Kotni from Andhra Pradesh , Yogendra Singh from Haryana, Madhu Sudan Mishra from Puri , Captain Rohit Manaktala from Punjab, Sadananda Sahu from New Delhi, Sachin Ghogare from Maharashtra, Mitra Bhanhu Nayak from Assam, Narinderjit Singh from Punjab, Aloke Mandal from West Bengal, Tapasendra Adhikary from West Bengal and Soubhik Dholey from West Bengal among others participated in the tour.