Small steps for a giant leap

IT IS that time of the year again. The fourth Citizens' Run is due to be flagged off from the Gandhi Mandapam, Guindy, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 16.

``Why do we run? To create a sense of pride in the city. To create a sense of community. To share something regardless of who we are. The run is open to anyone. Young, old, rich, poor, athletic champions, the disabled, it's a forum for bringing people together in a spirit of sharing.'' explains Ranvi Shah one of the trustees of the informal volunteer group that consists of six people from different walks of life.

``Our motto is `Buy a T-shirt; Join the run,' says S. Muthiah, well known chronicler of the city's past and present, presiding the pre-run Press meet. ``Our hope is that one day we will be able to raise money just selling our T-shirts. Only then can we truly call it a Citizens' Run. Because that's what we need, the individual participation of the citizens of Chennai.''

``Our logo says it all'' adds veteran sportsman Eric Parbhakar, also a committee member. His presence with Indian tennis champions, Ramanathan Krishnan and Ramesh Krishnan, at the start of every run, infuses the crowd with a sense of valour. ``The design of running feet shows that some of them are wearing proper running shoes, some of them are wearing sandals and some are running with bare feet.'' Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, who are allowed to display their own logos on the shirts, along with the Citizens' Run logo, every child has a T- shirt. It creates a tremendous sense of sharing. For one afternoon, every person, taking part in the run is equal.

The run takes place on a busy stretch of the road from the Gandhi Mandapam to the Gandhi Statue on Marina Beach. A distance of around 7-1/2 kms, the run is divided into smaller segments and the volunteers from schools, social service organisations, or workers from some of the neighbouring factories are deployed to run just one stretch. The individual can choose to run along one segment, go the full length, or walk at his or her own pace. There is no competition. Everyone is a winner at the end of the walk. The prize is in being there.

``That's why we have never believed in bringing in celebrities, though we are always happy if celebrities take part'', claims V. R. Devika. ``We don't have speeches. We believe that it has to be in the spirit of Gandhiji's ``shramdaan'', a form of voluntary service for the sake of taking part in it.''

Uma Karthik Narayan, a trustee with a long time commitment to social work, explains how each year the group tries to look for small NGOs, who have a specific target to fulfil. It could be a van for disabled children, a kitchen for an old age home, a recognition for a volunteer group such as the ``Keep Elliot's Beach Clean.''

This year, the money raised through the Citizens' Run will help the Seva Chakra Orphanage; Sneha, an NGO that works in the area of suicide prevention; Anbagam, an institution for mentally handicapped persons; SRM, a trust that is trying to promote rainwater harvesting; Samarpana, a small home for children with special needs; and Anjugam, a home for destitute children. It is one small step for every citizen, but a giant leap that can knit the city of Chennai together. Come, join Citizens' Run this Sunday!

GEETA DOCTOR

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