Every Friday a group of girls from Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Degree Kalasala pedal their way to a selected residential colony in the college vicinity holding placards that speak about the several advantages of cycling.
Safari Unit
The girls are members of a ‘Safari Unit’ set up in their college about a year ago to promote the several benefits of this humble mode of transport.
‘Safari Unit’ is the outcome of relentless efforts of the city-based Active Bicyclers Association to motivate people, especially students, to shun motor vehicles and embrace bicycles to promote the eco-friendly mode of transport besides ensuring good health.
Principal T. Vijayalakshmi is the honorary president of the Safari Unit while mathematics lecturer P.V. Durgavathi is the president. It has a student secretary and an associate secretary.
“We cover Brindavan Colony, Labbipet and other surrounding areas to educate people,” says Ms. Durgavathi.
The college invites a VIP to flag off the cycle yatra, a move aimed at encouraging the participating girls.
With the Siddhartha girls making the first willing attempt to propagate this mode, the Association’s efforts seem to be making headway. Municipal Commissioner G. Ravi Babu, while participating in one of the rallies organised by the Bicyclers’ Association, had appealed to the people to observe Fridays as ‘Cycling Day’. Cycling is an effective remedy to a number of existing problems.
It is a very efficient and effective mode of transportation optimal for short or moderate distances, but none of us care to practice it. Compared to motor vehicles, bicycles provide numerous benefits. They cause negligible damage to roads and occupy a nominal space of the pavement.
“Unfortunately, cyclists today are looked down upon. People must look at the brighter side of cycling. You can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and without spending a fortune.
Stamina
It builds strength and stamina, a very effective way to lose those extra pounds, a regular exercise that can reduce stress and depression and improve well being and self-esteem,” says V. Satyanarayana, founder and general secretary of the Association.
The Association is eager to rope in more colleges like Andhra Loyola and Maris Stella to spread the message. “These young agents of change can bring about a positive outcome,” he says.
