Five-K Run, organised by the Rotaract Clubs of Visakhapatnam, was flagged off by Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Beach Road here on Sunday.
Around 3,000 people participated in the run organised to highlight the Rotary India Literacy Mission, which is intended to reduce drop-outs from schools. Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that literacy in the country was on the rise with growing awareness among people from different low-income groups.
He, however, said that pursuing higher education or completing secondary education was still a problem among the middle and lower income groups due to financial problems. Hence, the drop-out rate among these groups of students was increasing marginally.
There was a need to support those school and college going student drop-outs by extending financial and moral support to them. The Minister congratulated the Rotaract Clubs of two colleges - St. Joseph's College for Women and Gayatri Vidya Parishad, on coming forward to support the event by organising the marathon.
CMR Group MD Mavuri Venkata Ramana, Rotary International District Public Relations Chairman P.L.K. Murthy, Public Relations Society of India, Visakhapatnam chapter chairman U.S. Sarma, Rotaract District Representative Alehkhya Vegi, St. Joseph's College for Women Rotaract president Lekhna, Gayatri Rotaract Club president Pavan, Rotaract Club of Vizag Metro president Manogna and Rotaractors participated.
