Involving semi-rural youth

At the crack of dawn, groups of young students from the schools in and around Gummidipoondi Taluk, started arriving at the gates of the RMK College of Engineering and Technology, near Chennai. They had assembled to take part in a mini marathon titled the Rotary Rural Run organised by RC Madras Midtown, D 3232, and all over the place the logo ‘End Polio Now’ was visible. This was the second year the club had organised such a run in the 3, 5 and 10 km categories, with the support of philanthropist and founder of the RMK Group of Institutions.

Almost 1,000 participants and volunteers who had assembled at the venue were given a delicious breakfast, and Usha Kumar, president of the club, flagged of the 3 km category. She said the objective was to organise such a mini marathon in a semi-rural area so that rural youth can also be made aware of the need for physical fitness, and create a general awareness about Rotary among the young.

R Srinivasan, DG 3232, Assistant Governor Vikas Chandra, management of the RMK Group of Institutions and local community leaders participated.

Winners from each of the three categories were recognised with medals and certificates and participants wore the End Polio Now tee shirt, in a bid to enhance the public image of Rotary.