At 4 a.m. on Sunday, 11-year-old K. Prasanth cycled from his home in Arumbarthapuram towards Gandhi Thidal on Beach Road.
He reached the place around 4.30 a.m. while his mother and eight-year-old sister followed him on a two-wheeler. A student of Stansford International Higher Secondary School in Puducherry, his journey covering a distance of 8 km from Arumbarthapuram to Gandhi Thidal was to participate in Saksham Cyclothon, organised by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, which was to begin at 7 a.m.
“He woke up at 3 a.m. and could not go back to sleep. He was so eager to participate in the cyclothon that he was ready by 4 a.m. While he rode the bicycle, we followed him on a two-wheeler,” said Mathivathani, who is a homemaker.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited organised SAKSHAM Cyclothon on Sunday in Puducherry in view of Saksham 2017 Oil and Gas Conservation Mass Awareness Campaign. Nearly 700 schoolchildren, college students, businessmen and corporate employees participated. Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy flagged off the event.
Prasanth said that his teacher had informed him about the cyclothon. “I was really excited hearing it and wanted to participate. This is organised to save petrol and my teacher said we would bring fame to the school if we participate,” he said.
From Gandhi Thidal, Prasanth, along with other participants, cycled 5 km to create awareness about conserving crude oil. The cyclists started from Gandhi Thidal, passed through Beach Road, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Road and then Anna Salai via Anna Square to Bussy Street and back to Gandhi Thidal.
Organised in 76 cities
T.G. Nagarajan, Chief General Manager, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Chennai said importing crude oil from across the world is exorbitant. “We have to create awareness to avoid the use of petrol and diesel for one day in the week to conserve fuel. The cyclothon is being organised in 76 cities across the country and we will be organising it in Tiruchi and Madurai in the next two weeks,” he said.
Rotary Club of Pondicherry Beach Road and Cycle Federation supported in organising the event.
Petroleum Conservation Research Association and oil and gas Public Sector Undertakings under the aegis of Ministry for Petroleum and Natural Gas are organising Sanrakshan Kshamata Mahotsav to create awareness and sensitise masses about conservation and efficient use of petroleum products.
