Cycle Chala, City Bacha and Smart Commute Foundation in association with Healthspring organized “Health for all” ride on the 7th of April, Friday, on the occasion of World Health Day 2023. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization with a group ride across four different locations in Mumbai.
Cycle Chala City Bacha envisions making cycling the preferred mode for commute and a way of life across all the 24 wards of Mumbai. The Vision is to make Mumbai the Cycling Capital of India by 2030.
Smart Commute Foundation is an organization that is deeply entrenched in the sustainability space. It conceptualizes, details, and implements programs that promote a healthier, greener and happier city by encouraging people to adopt cycling as a means of daily commute.
The aim of the event was to promote awareness, healthy lifestyle and fitness.
The event was conducted simultaneously at four venues: Cuffe parade, Goregaon, Powai and Mulund. More than 30 cyclists participated at each venue, making it a total of more than 120 riders.
The Cuffe parade event was flagged off by Mr Datta Nalawade, DCP Narcotics. He supported this cause because he believes that prevention is the best way to ensure good health. He also gave a very important message to parents to be more involved with their children, engage them in activities together, like cycling, so that they don’t seek bad company or take to drugs. And finally, he made us aware about the symptoms of drug abuse our children may be showing, which we may neglect. “Cycling ka nasha accha nasha hai” (Addiction of cycling is good).
Mrs. Indrani Malkani, Chairman and Managing Trustee of V Citizens Action Network (VCAN) gave a talk highlighting the importance of road safety and working together as a community.
Jerseys with a Health message were distributed and the riders took off on a 15 km ride. The ride included South Mumbai heritage architecture buildings like –
- Afghan Church
- Gateway of India
- Taj Palace Hotel
- Regal Cinema
- Asiatic Society Town hall
- Ballard Pier
- Rajabai Tower
All participants had a quiz related to these buildings with one photo stop at Asiatic Library Steps.
The ride culminated at the Healthspring centre in the area. At the centre, there was an interactive health talk session along with healthy breakfast. Health check vouchers were distributed to all the participants by Healthspring.
Speakers:
Cuffe Parade : Dr. Jaydeep Palep (Weight loss surgeon and cyclist) – Healthy lifestyle and it’s benefits.
Powai: Dr. Vidhi Bhanushali (Physiotherapist and cyclist) – Sports and health.
Mulund: Dr. Alpesh Ruparel (Triathlon athlete and Ironman) – Achieve the best in physical fitness.
Goregaon: Reena Verma (Yoga Practioner and cyclist) – Yoga, pranayam workshop for Cyclists.
The talks focused on different aspects of health, exercise, fitness and relaxation.
The organizing team consisted of –
Dr. Viswanathan Iyer is now taking on a new responsibility of Bicycle Mayor of Mumbai. He is a brilliant Neurosurgeon (Brain and Spine Surgeon) who rides to work and also has done many long distance rides in various regions of India.
“World health day is very important to me as a doctor and a cyclist. A country as large as ours will benefit by focusing on prevention of lifestyle diseases, rather than treatment. Cycling for commute will promote fitness and minimize carbon footprint.”
Dr. Reshma Palep is an eminent Breast Cancer Surgeon, who has been conducting cancer awareness and support programmes. She is also one of the co-founders of the all women cycling group “The Cyclistas” that conducts Cyclothons in the city. They actively work for social causes and believe that the power of cycling can change lives.
Team Healthspring: Dedicated professionals committed to the cause of improving health.
Source and Photos credits: Smart Commute Foundation.
Cover image: Nuno Ricardo/Unsplash
You might also like to read: IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SAIFEE RAIPURWALA FROM MUMBAI
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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai
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