Yes ,we did Make a Difference!!!!

The hamlet of Manipal witnessed an event of magnitude never witnessed this Sunday evening. The town first was literally painted red. With Volunteers in their red tees running around the track that encircled the heart of Manipal making sure that everything was picture perfect to make the coastal region run for a cause.

The cause, the inspiration, the need of the hour to which over a thousand people supported was the education of underprivileged. Atharva in association with Make A Difference (M.A.D) organized this feat so as to contribute all proceeds from sales of the passes to this concern. The response was truly humbling with people coming forward to contribute with passes being bought for friends and family to increase their contributions.

The stage was set to start the run at five ‘o’ clock on a wonderful Sunday evening. The blazing hot sun had set on an afternoon of rigorous preparations from all quarters. The participants started pouring in at the start line at Kamath Circle as early as 4’o’ clock. There was of course an added incentive of the running kit being given out to the first three hundred participants who reported to the desk that was setup in front of the MIT food court. The air was abuzz with excitement, the atmosphere electric, the mood a mix of benevolence and vigour.

The registrations wrapped up, the chest badges pinned, the t-shirts with ‘Hercules Roadeo” emblazoned were reflecting the orange of the sunset. The participants gathered around the stage for a thank you note for the support and concern shown. The appreciative representative from M.A.D. spoke about the cause and also resonated the feelings of those gathered about the importance of education.

And then, finally, the moment that the 300+strong crowd awaited with bated breath. The flag-off. The esteemed director of TAPMI Dr. R. C. Natarajan declared the start of the four and half kilometre race with his usual starry flair. 

The participants set-off with fervour worthy of a top shelf athletic meet. A common train of thought drove the feet of the whole contingent. The energy ran right through. Volunteers at each check point were energised by the waves of crowds that they supplied with liquid energy to. Manipal stood still. The marathon was its shining moment of glory. Public servants, the common jay-walker, the volunteers and the participants all ensured the smoothest functioning of a race.
                            

And a race it was. It was over as soon as it began. Mr Gangadhar an ardent athlete finished the race in just under twenty minutes, followed closely by TAPMIan Arvind and Shyam Kumar. Over a hundred participants ran across the finish line in the following minutes. The joy of having completed a race that meant a better future for the nation shone across every face at the end of it all.

The prize distribution ceremony, quite an illustrious affair, with prizes worth Rs 20,000 given away, thanks to our partners T.I. cycles, with broad smiles and much cheer.

The crowd faded away from the spot, the scene of Kamath Circle quickly returned to its normal youthful centre of activity. But what remained was the spirit to survive the current dire times, revive the spirit of secular and safe democracy and conquer the darkness that prevails with the light of education.

Photo Credits: Team ATHARVA,Pankaj Parasar