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Marathon effort

With overwhelming response from public, Madurai Marathon turned out to be a big success

PHOTO: K. GANESAN

COLLECTIVE ATTEMPT To spread awareness of the need to conserve water

The screeching of roller skates and thudding noise of people running woke up many from their early morning slumber on a Saturday to witness a sea of humanity spreading awareness on the necessity to conserve water, the elixir of life.

School and college students, Government and private employees, businessmen, the common public, district administration and nongovernmental organisations (NGO) all shrugged off their weekend mood to join hands for this noble cause, termed by the organisers Dhan Foundation as `Madurai Marathon', a run for water.

Imperative

"With the Central Government declaring 2007 as `Water Year - Year of more crop and income per drop of water,' it becomes imperative for every responsible citizen to express their support for the global concern," said a beaming M. Paramasivam, a retired headmaster.

To accommodate a cross section of people, the organisers arranged a mini-marathon, a celebrity walk and a run exclusively for the differently-abled. There were also participants on roller skates to join hands with the others.

Different venues were assigned for the multiple events, as there was an overwhelming response from the crowd for each. The venues, Madurai Medical College and Race Course Stadium, were bursting at its seams with more than 35,000 thronging the starting points.

"With the depleting water sources, it is important to make people understand the significance of protecting and preserving water bodies. Hence, a massive effort like this will go a long way in keeping the public abreast of the stark realities," said G. Ramakrishnan, physical education teacher of a school.

The event sensitised the public to safeguard and renovate water bodies and conserve water.

T. N. C. M. Chockalingam, secretary, Madurai District Roller Skating Association, shared: "It has been a satisfying experience. When Dhan Foundation approached us three months ago, we immediately accepted to be part of this exercise. Since then we have been waiting for this opportunity. Such an effort is the need of the hour."

The participants including those on the roller skates of the mini-marathon, who had to cover 8 km, traversed the thoroughfares of the city while the participants of the walk covered a distance of 3 km.

Grand event

The event attracted self-help group members even from neighbouring districts of Dindigul, Theni and Sivaganga.

All the participants converged at Madurai Medical College, the destination point, where an exhibition was organised to highlight the importance of conserving water.

Traditional folk dance programmes including `karagattam,' `oyilattam,' `mayilattam' and `paraiattam' were organised to enthral the audience.

Dramas signifying the necessity to protect and preserve water bodies were also staged on the occasion.

Cashing in on this public enthusiasm, the organisers have planned to form a Centre for Renovation of Water bodies, which will help authorities plan and devise programmes to safeguard water bodies.

According to the organisers, the proceeds from the grand event would be used to set up `model centres,' for spreading knowledge of conservation among the public.

Already, steps have been initiated to create a fund that would be used to desilt and maintain water bodies.

The organisers were able to infuse a positive energy among the public and did not want this spirit to fade away. They wanted to shape this response into a movement that will hopefully continue for years together.

T. SARAVANAN

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