ROTTO PGIMER organises Cyclothon ‘ Ride of Life” to celebrate ‘Angdaan Mahotsav’ and upcoming 13th Indian Organ Donation Day
76 Cycling Enthusiasts pledge for Organ Donation on the spot
Let us cycle more and drive less to keep ourselves and our organs healthy: Director PGIMER
It was a sight to behold as over 200 cycling enthusiasts zoomed from Kairon Block, PGIMER, participating in the hugely successful Cyclothon organised by ROTTO, (North) PGIMER Chandigarh here at PGIMER today.
Organised as a part of the awareness campaign “Angdaan Mahotsav” launched to celebrate and commemorate the upcoming Indian Organ Donation Day, the Cyclothon witnessed the participation of senior faculty members, youngsters and cycling enthusiasts and was flagged off by Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER Chandigarh at Kairon Block, PGIMER amid huge applause today morning.
The other dignitaries gracing the flagging off ceremony included Mr. Jaswinder Singh, DSP ( Road Safety) Chandigarh Administration, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER cum Nodal Officer, ROTTO, Mr. Kumar Abhay, Financial Advisor, Prof. Ranjana Minz, Head, Deptt. of Immunopathology, Prof. T. Shyam, Head, Deptt. of CTVS, Prof. Rajesh Gupta, Head, Deptt. of Surgical Gastroenterology Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER, Prof G D Puri ex Dean Academic PGIMER and others including senior faculty members, resident doctors, nursing officers and technical staff.
Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER terming the response as over-whelming during the flag off ceremony, stated, “We’re probably well aware that there is a huge gap between organ availability and requirement. Thus, by organising this Cyclothon we want to disperse a message of a healthier lifestyle, which will not only help you to keep well in your present life, but will also enable others with a second lease of life, if one pledges to gift organs post demise. So let us cycle more and drive less to keep ourselves and our organs healthy.”
Organised with intent to engage with as many people for the cause of Organ Donation, the Cyclothon was flagged off at Kairon Block, PGIMER and culminated at Sukhna Lake.
Mr. Jaswinder Singh, DSP (Road Safety) Chandigarh Administration, himself a cycling enthusiast, was personally present throughout the event along with his Cycling Traffic Squad.
Endorsing the need for healthy life-style and commending ROTTO (North) for the initiative, Mr. Jaswinder Singh, said, “There cannot be anything more altruistic, more self-less than organ donation. I urge all to follow healthy life-style, support and promote the cause, sign up for organ donation and make your wish known to the family and be instrumental in saving precious lives. “
Starting from Kairon Block and culminating at Sukhna Lake, the Cyclothon was partnered by Cycle Giri, a volunteer organisation promoting cycling as a healthy way of life and Traffic Squad comprising 20 cycling enthusiasts of Chandigarh Traffic Police.
ROTTO (North) put up awareness cum pledging stalls, or both at the flagging off point at Kairon Block PGIMER and culmination point at Sukhna Lake, thereby, enabling those interested to pledge for organ donation. In all, 76 cycling enthusiast pledged for organ donation at these stalls.
Complementing the participants for their enthusiasm at the concluding ceremony, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER cum Nodal officer, ROTTO stated, “The whole concept of organising this event was to engage with as many people for the cause of Organ Donation.”
Expressing gratitude to all the collaborating partners, Prof. Koushal urged for their proactive engagement as it would help creating awareness about the cause and addressing prevalent myths and misconceptions in the society.”
The Cyclothon concluded on an upbeat note with felicitating the partner organisations Cycle Giri, and Traffic Squad of cycling enthusiasts of Chandigarh Traffic Police.
