Vijayawada: Awake India Cycling' rally gathers support on Republic Day
VIJAYAWADA: The Vivekananda Youth Association (VYA) conducted a cycle rally in the city,, with 69 enthusiasts participating to highlight 69 social evils. The rally was held to mark Republic Day.
The rally covered main points of the city from Freedom Fighters Building to Autonagar and from there to the starting point.
At 8 am, students from different colleges reached Freedom Fighters Building located at Bandar Locks, wearing white and orange T-shirts including Mr Chalavadi Mallikarjuna Rao, PSCMR college president, Mr Motukuri Venkateswararao, secretary.
The Krishna District Senior Citizens Association, inaugurated the cycle rally.
The VYA volunteers started off, chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’, ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’, and shouting slogans to save the girl child, save trees and water, and to wear helmets.
The rally passed through Mahatma Gandhi Road, Autonagar, Guru Nanak Colony, and Sikhamani Centre and returned to the intial point after completing 20 km.
“The cycle rally was held to draw together the people of Vijayawada to unite as one, and go beyond caste and religion. We request people to break down the walls of caste, said Mr Krishna Prasanna Vaitla, president, VYA. “We want to educate the community and awaken their civic sense, he added.
Mr R. Mallikarjuna, an MBA student and VYA volunteer, said, “I was very happy to participate in the cycle rally and to do something for society. We tried to highlight the importance of following traffic rules. We tried to create awareness against social evils.:
“It was a memorable experience. This is the second time I participated in such a rally and had fun cycling with friends and shouting slogans. I believe the youth can do something for society,” said student Lakkiraju Manasa.
“Everybody should respect women and should save the girl child. We are celebrating the 69th Republic Day. Yet, human trafficking is increasing by the day. We are trying to create awareness about it, and end it, said VYA senior volunteer M. Vaidehi.
Later they participated in the Republic Day celebrations at Freedom Fighters Building along with freedom fighters Ernani Nageswara Rao, Gadde Satyanarayana, senior citizens and police personnel.
Though the VYA focused on traffic safety and highlighted the importance of wearing participates, most of its volunteers who participated on motorcycles did not wear helmets, except one person who participated with a child.
