On October 2, when citizens will be observing Gandhi Jayanti, or talking about Mission Swach Bharat, a group of citizens will be vouching for the girl child. To be held for the first time in the city, a walkathon called "Save the Girl Child, Walk for 24 Hrs" will be open for all to participate.
Anyone wishing to join, can gather at the start point at 7am from the mayor's bungalow, Shivaji Park. The walkathon's route will trace Dadar, Worli, Nariman Point, Gateway of India, CST, Sena Bhavan (via Dadar TT), Borivili National Park. It will then cross over to Borivli (W), and head back to the mayor's bungalow, taking the SV Road route.
The entire event, scheduled for 24 hours, will have no stops in between. Since it is not a competitive event the walkathon will have no winners. However, all those who walk for 24 hours will considered winners.
Dr Rajesh Shah, a gynaecologist who is spearheading the walk, said: "Four people have already confirmed their participation, 24 participants will be walking for 10 hours and over 1,000 will be walking for 3-4 hours." Dr Shah also said that the organisers hope to have at least 150 members participating for the complete duration.
Three years ago, the doctor survived a near-death experience after being bitten by a poisonous spider. It was then that he was struck with the idea of conducting a walkathon. Of the incident, he said, "The effect of the poison takes place only 15 hours later. It was then that I was saved by a woman, who ensured that I received medical treatment on time."
Later the same year, there was a nation-wide census survey, and he thought of his saviour again. He said, "In December, the census stated that the girl-boy ratio was falling drastically. I thought of the woman who saved me and wondered what would have happened if she wasn't around. That is when I thought of having the walkathon."
The walkathon will have members walking in T-shirts and placards that will, hopefully, create awareness about the issue. "They had sought permission and we felt that it is a good cause. If they pass from this side, I may join them too," said Krishna Prakash, additional commissioner of police, South region.
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