Another successful Cycle Day near Allalasandra Lake

Another ‘Cycle Day’ was successfully conducted by Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) in partnership with Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Urban Development Department, Government of Karnataka and BCOS – in Yelahanka New Town next to Allalasandra Lake this 14th September 2014, Sunday morning (6:30 to 10:30 a.m.).
 
The last Cycle Day was held a couple of months ago and can be read about here. Cycle Days are being organized with the objective of popularizing cycling within the locality thereby helping in reducing motorized traffic, reduce pollution, reduce fuel consumption and improve health and fitness.
 
Around 4500 citizens including Honorable Speaker of Legislative Assembly – Mr Kagodu Thimmappa, Yelahanka MLA – Mr S.R.Vishwanath, Corporator Ward 4 – Mr Muniraju, Director BMTC – Mr Pushkar Kumar, Transport Planner DULT – Ms Sonal Kulkarni, BBMP, BWSSB, Police, APTS, CRPF and BSF personnel enjoyed cycling, played traditional games on the street and participated in cultural events. H’ble Speaker planted a tree in Allalasandra Lake on this occasion.

Huge crowd
 
The  event commenced with a cycle rally around the Allalasandra Lake and main roads of Yelahanka New Town (around 7 kms). 250  cycles for free rentals were provided at the venue with original photo ID as security deposit. 
 

Cyclists
 
Traditional games chowka bhara, kunte balle, lagori, marbles, snakes and ladders, top spinning, passing the ball, bombing the city, chess, gully cricket, badminton, volleyball, throwball, blindfold and hit the target, balloon blast, slow cycle race was organized on the 100ft street that was blocked out for traffic. 

Chess 
 
All-women’s Dollu Kunitha team from Sagar, Shimoga district, Veeragase from Chitradurga and Huli Vesha from Kolar enthusiastically participated in the cultural programs, lifting the spirits and energy at the event.
Dollu Kunitha
 
Kite flying by well known expert Mr V.K.Rao, street magic show, dance programs by the KHB highrise apartment residents, fitness demonstration by SNAP Fitness, cycle workshop by Sangam Cycles, free basic health checkup by Chaitanya Medical Centre, Taekwondo demonstration by kids of Ramu-RWF Training Centre,  slow cycle race, slow motion dance by Mr Chetan and troupe and high end international bicycles display were added attractions.
 
Around 400 Police personnel from the Armed Police Training School in Yelahanka stood out of the crowd, participating in this event in their uniforms. They talked about road discipline and basic security measures in residential areas. Their parade and drill on the streets was enjoyed by one and all.
 
EZZY group Managing Director Mr Hisham Syed Tamiz along with YUVA handed over 8 police chowkis for Yelahanka Police in the presence of H’ble Speaker, MLA and YUVA committee members. North Zone DCP Traffic Mr S.Girish, ACPs Mr Thirumalaraj and Mr Gangadhar along with Yelahanka Inspectors received the chowkis. These chowkis would help in streamling traffic issues in the locality apart from improving security in the area. Each chowki is estimated to cost Rs 1 lakh and EZZY group is donating around 100 chowkis to Bangalore police.
 

Police personnel
 

Police chowki 
 
All the participants took an oath ‘I solemnly swear that I, as a responsible citizen, shall abide by traffic rules and ensure safety of myself and my fellow citizens’ which was administered by the H’ble Speaker. All of them later signed a board which was displayed. Light breakfast was arranged at the venue.  

Oath Board  
 
H’ble Speaker commended YUVA and Yelahanka residents for organizing this environment friendly event next to Allalasandra Lake which brings in awareness on water conservation. He appreciated that cycling promotes healthy life style and reduces traffic and pollution. Traditional games on the street reminds one of one’s childhood and he encouraged children to take up outdoor games.
 
YUVA President Dr Tayappa spoke on the Cycle Day objectives and environment programs being conducted in Yelahanka which have evoked huge public response and voluntary participation.
 
For more information on YUVA and Cycle Day, please contact Mr Jagadeesh Giri, Joint Secretary-YUVA (+91 9845171449).  
 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Buckingham Canal restoration: Stuck between ambitious proposals and financial constraints

Buckingham Canal in Chennai, vital for flood control and ecology, faces neglect, pollution and halted restoration due to funding challenges

It has been over two centuries since the construction of the Buckingham Canal, a once vital navigational route stretching from Pedda Ganjam in Andhra Pradesh to Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu. At its peak, the canal could carry 5,600 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water. However, decades of unplanned urbanisation have drastically reduced its capacity to just 2,850 cusecs with the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) being the major encroacher. Map: Shanthala Ramesh Regular desilting is crucial for maintaining the Buckingham Canal, yet its upkeep has been a significant challenge since the early 20th century. Over the years, numerous proposals…

Similar Story

Panje wetlands: Greens continue their fight against all odds

Despite a long struggle by environmentalists, the Panje wetlands in Uran are drying up. A look at the reasons for this and what activists face.

“Panchhi nadiya pawan ke jhonke, koi sarhad na inhe roke…”  (Birds can fly where they want/ water can take its course/ the wind blows in every direction/ no barrier can stop them) — thus go the Javed Akhtar penned lyrics of the song from the movie Refugee (2000, J. P Dutta). As I read about the Panje wetlands in Uran, I wondered if these lyrics hold true today, when human interference is wreaking such havoc on natural environments, and keeping these very elements out. But then, I also wondered if I should refer to Panje, a 289-hectare inter-tidal zone, as…