The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Spreading a message through cycling

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Saturday, Aug 16, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Spreading a message through cycling

S. Harpal Singh

Sriram Rathod

ADILABAD: Director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Sriram Rathod strongly believes that cycle is the perfect panacea in the emerging scenario. “Cycling keeps the rider physically fit while helping keep the environment clean from vehicle emissions,” he points out.

The Director rides to office on his bicycle every day to spread the message and encourage people to take to cycling. “Prevention is better than cure. People should use cycle for travel on shorter distances so that the body gets sufficient exercise,” he observes.

Dr. Rathod predicts that obesity will become a major cause of concern for the Indian society soon. He attributes this to the changing food habits at present.

“Even in rural areas you can find people excessively consuming sugar and bakery items. These lead to obesity that can lead to several health complications,” he explains. “All the obese persons among the 20 victims of chlorine gas leak recently had to be put on oxygen. The lean ones recovered fast,” he quotes of his experience to buttress his point of view.

Some of the diseases caused due to obesity are diabetes, hypertension, asthma and arthritis. These can be prevented through the exercise by cycling for about 5 km. everyday.

Talking about the need to cause awareness about the positive effects of cycling, Dr. Rathod says top officials need to take to the activity.

“In Nanded town (Maharashtra), where I belong to, the district Collector, Superintendent of Police and all heads of departments cycle for a distance of about 4 km. every Saturday.

Many people took to cycling thereafter. Infosys computer software giant in Bengaluru and the Chennai IIT have banned driving vehicles on the campuses,” he says.

Inspired by Dr. Rathod, tennis players at the local officers club now come on a bicycle for morning practice every day.

The entire staff of RIMS will soon undertake a cycle yatra in the town in order to the spread the message that is so dear to their director.

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