ROTARY CLUB OF BANGALORE’s initiative “CHAKRATHON –Pedal for India” to Celebrate 76th Independence

ROTARY CLUB OF BANGALORE’s initiative “CHAKRATHON –Pedal for India” to Celebrate 76th Independence
Connects with All India Rotary Clubs to promote Cycling for Health and Environment

Bangalore, August 9, 2023: Rotary Club of Bangalore (RCB) a 89 Year old and largest Club in India is stepping up with unique initiative of a Mega Cycling Event CHAKRATHON – Pedal for India beginning August 15 and will continue until January 26, 2024 to celebrate 76th year of India’s independence. RCB in association with other Rotary Clubs from all over India, aspires to bring over 50 million young men and women on a common CHAKRATHON PROGRAGRMME. Cycling their way to reach 76 million kilometres over 165 days spreading awareness on Health and Environment.

Partnering in this mega event is Decathlon India, a well-known Sports Brand. With a presence of over 250 stores across India, they will provide tech interface & logistic support. They will also be anchoring a few managed events in collaboration with others Rotary Clubs & Cycling Clubs. The very first physical event is with Border Security Force (BSF) Yelahanka on 15th August. It will be flagged off by IG BSF where Rotarians, BSF Jawan & other cyclists will cycle 76 kms.
The significance of 76 years of Independence – The Event Chakrathon: Pedal for India – 165 days…. 50 million cyclists…. …76 million Kms will happen in two concurrent ways: Virtual events and managed events.

• Virtual Event, A cycling enthusiast can cycle in their respective place, at their chosen time, for any distance, within 165 days, anchored by a UNIQUE CHAKRATHON App platform. Simultaneously in the same period, 76+ managed events across India will be flagged off and managed by RCB and other Rotary clubs. This is open to both regular and professional cyclists who will be ambassadors in motion to spread the word on the benefits of cycling – for individual and environmental health.

While this Cycling initiative will bring young people together for health, and environment protection, money raised from both sponsors and participants registration (Rs 99) would be used to fund Rotary’s Community Service Projects, such as Mid-day Meals for Children, Planting of Saplings, Dialysis, Cataract Surgeries and Mental Health Awareness camps.

Methodology:

• A tech interface, an App powered by Decathlon will enable the aggregation of the kms. cycled by individuals thus bringing all the cyclists on a common platform.
• Small local events, working in tandem with other Rotary clubs, NGOs, Cycling clubs, Citizen Associations, will enable the registration of every person who can, and is willing to, Cycle and update on an online dashboard. The enthusiasts will be encouraged to Cycle and complete 7.6 or 76 or 760 kms or more for Each Pedal counts. Further, every registered participant would have the opportunity to become part of the Rotary TTK blood bank and National Stem Cell Registry as well as become a Registered Organ Donor.

The effort is a systematic approach to enable all, especially children to take part in the challenge being held for the first time and hope to get large number of children register. We are excited to be collaborate with Dcathlon and Border Security Force in this journey and their commitment responsible towards improving health and environment.