Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Feb 4: "If you educate a woman, you educate a family and in turn, you educate the country," said Patrick Farmer, ultra-marathon runner and former MP of Australia.

Addressing media persons after reaching the city as part of his Kanyakumari to Kashmir 'Spirit of India Run' in aid of education of girls and for strengthening the ties between India and Australia, Patrick Farmer said, "I am here mainly for three reasons. First, to inspire people of this country - if an ordinary person like me can do so many things, how much more can this country achieve if all the people here work together. Secondly, to strengthen the traditional ties between the two major democracies of the world India and Australia.

"Thirdly, to educate the unpriviledged girls of India through 'Nanhi Kali' initiative of KC Mahindra Education Trust and collect AUD 100,000 for them. If you educate a woman, you educate the family and in turn, you educate the country. I felt that the states I have covered till now have good literacy rate and importance has been given to the education of girls, still there are many unpriviledged girls in India who are deprived of education."

When asked how his transition took place from an MP to an ultra-Marathon runner he said, "I was first a runner and then an MP. Since I was 18 I have been running long distances. When I completed one of the ulta-marathons, I was noticed by the then Prime Minister John Howard who invited me to join politics and for the next 9 years I was an MP."

When asked why he chose India for his initiative, he said, "India has always attracted my imagination. During the North Pole to South Pole run from the south of Argentina to the north of United States, I visited many countries. In Australia, Indians constitute a majority of immigrants and two percent of the total population. Being a country of many religions and languages I see India developing. I hope this run of mine will create many jobs and empower many youth."

Asked the secret of his stamina, he said, "I prefer vegetarian diet to maintain fitness. Since I require more protiens I eat boiled eggs along with onions and vegetarian soup."

The ultra-marathon runner who has been running atleast 80 km daily from 5 am to 5 pm has Indian and Australian film crews which include a film director, camera persons and his personal physiotherapist.

He also thanked the police force of the states he covered and said, "I know that I create traffic congestion but its for a good cause. I thank the police personal of all the states for helping me continue the run without any hiccup across the length of India from the southernmost tip of Kanyakumari to the northernmost Kashmir in just 60 days."

He was later felicitated by the state minister for youth affairs and sports Abhayachandra Jain on behalf of the government of Karnataka.

Commissioner of Mangaluru city Chandra Sekhar gave a measure of rice to Patrick as a memento.

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, ADC Kumar, officer of India tourism, Bengaluru PK Ranjan were present at the occasion.

Patrick who started his run on January 26, that is on Republic Day of India and the national day of Australia has planned to run a distance of 4,600 km, across 10 states, with a daily average of 76 km a day, completing within 60 days. But he is well ahead of the schedule, covering 80 kilometers a day so far.

He will be welcomed in Padubidri by the Udupi district administration and will spend his night there. The next pit-stops of his run in Karnataka are Maravanthe, Honnavar, Karwar where he will interact with people under the Incredible India programme on February 7.

Patrick Farmer was a member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the seat of Macarthur in south-west Sydney, New South Wales from 2001 to 2010, as a member of the Liberal Party. Farmer has an established reputation in international and national ultra-marathons. Between April 2011 and January 2012, Farmer successfully completed the world's longest ultra-marathon, a "Pole to Pole Run" from the North Pole to the South Pole, raising A$100,000 for Red Cross International.

Earlier Report

Mangaluru: Former Australian MP Patrick Farmer's 'Spirit of India Run' reaches city

Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Feb 4: The Kanyakumari to Kashmir 'Spirit of India Run' undertaken by Australian ultra-marathon athlete and former member of the Australian Parliament, Patrick Farmer, reached Talapady here on Thursday, February 4 and then into Mangaluru city. The Run, which aims to raise funds for education of Indian girls and strengthen the ties between India and Australia, began from Kanyakumar on January 26.

Speaking at Talapady, Patrick Farmer said, "There is no country as glorious as India. Art forms, different religions and customs in this country are not only colourful, but also unique. We have arranged this marathon to raise funds for the education of girl children and also to strengthen the Australia-India relationship.

"There has been good support from Indians for this marathon for a cause. Girl becomes mother one day. When she becomes educated, the whole country takes education from her and the national prosperity gets a boost.. “ Farmer added.

Deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada A B Ibrahim and superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa welcomed Farmer and his team to the district with bouquets.

The marathon will cover 4,600 kilometres across the length of the country. School children and people from tourism department also participated in the run.