The following is from an article written in the Hindu Newspaper in India about our recent Cycle India event in January 2010:
HYDERABAD: While motorists whizzed along the wide road abutting Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park in Jubilee Hills, a motley group of bicyclists made their way along the road’s fringes on Saturday morning. Cycling for a cause, the group included members from the United Kingdom, United States of America, India and City Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao, who joyfully pedalled with the cyclists.
Conducted by Heal, a U.K.-based charity organisation, funds raised from the cycle rally would go towards construction of a selfsustaining model village at a 25-acre site, 15 kilometres off Gannavaram, near Vijayawada.
‘Paradise’, as it would be known, will house a residential school for 1,000 orphan and destitute children and all facilities that come with it. “It would have classes right from nursery to junior college level,” said K. Satya Prasad, founder of Heal UK.
“Materials used for construction of the village will be generated from waste. We plan to make the village self- sustaining and we will
harness solar and wind energies. Apart from collecting rain water, we will treat waste water in sewerage treatment plant for recycling purposes,” Dr. Prasad said during the cycle rally.
“We want to demonstrate we can enjoy life without causing any damage to the environment.”
“Through this cycle rally we also want to create awareness about the benefits of cycling and pedestrian and cyclist rights,” he said.
“This is the second time I am participating in this rally by Heal. If they do it again, I will come back,” said John Goldie, a cyclist from
U.K. “People here are friendly and caring. I am taken in by the scenery in rural India.”
Project cost Rs. 15 cr.
The cycle rally was one way of raising funds for the project estimated to cost over Rs. 15 crore.
The bicyclists who came from all walks of life had to shell out Rs. 2 lakh towards participation charges. The team had been cycling in
different parts of the country from the beginning of the year and the rally concluded in the city.
You can view the original article at:
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/10/stories/2010011059560500.htm