Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Aug 18: It was a sight to behold at Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat School at Mallikatta here on Tuesday August 18, as 12 foreigners from different countries came in colourful auto rickshaws and spent quality time with the children who were excited beyond words to see them.
They were part of the 'Rickshaw Challenge' a unique adventure on auto rickshaws with 40 participants representing nine countries - the UK, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, Barbados and Canada.
The Madras Round Table 42 has sponsored the rally. The office-bearers of Mangalore Round Table (MRT) 115 welcomed the participants on this occasion.
Speaking to the media, Adam, a participant from New Zealand said, "It is a great experience for all of us. This is the first time I am coming to India to explore and to understand the culture here. Totally 17 teams are participating in this 'Rickshaw Challenge' and last night we reached Mangaluru and stayed at Hotel Ginger near Kottara. Today we are leaving to Mysuru by rickshaws. On August 15, we were in Panaji and we visited an orphanage."
Stephen Deacon from New Zealand said that he is very excited to explore India. "Our journey has been good. India is a pretty good place to tour. Roads are jumpy and curvy. Indians are lovely and they welcome us wherever we go. This is one of the best countries I have visited so far."
Chennai Event Management Services (CEMS) general manager Princely Jayachandran said that their company has been supporting the Rickshaw Challenge event from several years. "Growing organically out of a professional commitment to business development and the good luck of being at the right places at the right times, we started pioneering the first 'Rickshaw Challenge' in 2006. Four Rickshaw Challenge events - the 'Mumbai Xpress', 'Classic Run', 'Deccan Odyssey' and the 'Malabar Rampage' are yearly institutions with a loyal following in major media, imitators and participants who chose to return time and again.
"We basically assist these participants by providing auto rickshaws and map at the cost of Rs 60,000 per head. If they want other facilities then they are charged extra. I am travelling with these people and I repair rickshaws. The participants have really enjoyed the trip so far. Before exploring India, their thoughts about India were not good. They used to think India was dirty. But after exploring and visiting some of our best places, their opinion has changed. They visited Ratnagiri hills and said those hills look like the Swiss Alps. They are riding 16 auto rickshaws and travelling from Mumbai to Chennai covering 2,000 km which is an adventurous educational tour studying Indian art, culture and tradition," he said.
The teams were flagged off by MRT 115 members Deepak Ramani and Kenneth Serrao for their onward journey to Chennai via Mysuru and Vellore.
The participants, during their journey will be making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged by raising funds for Round Table national project 'Freedom Through Education' in pursuit of educating poor rural children.
About Rickshaw Challenge
The 2,000 km Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2015 is an adventure rally/challenge done using auto rickshaws. The Rickshaw Challenge adventure will run for 11 days from Mumbai to Chennai (August 10 to August 21), taking its teams of 16 international rickshaw racing teams consisting of 40 participants from 9 countries on an exhilarating journey.
The aspiring adventurers come from countries as far as UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, Barbados and Canada looking for an experience of a lifetime. In order to win the Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2015, the participants have to rely on the locals at each destination to guide them along.
During the Rickshaw Challenge-Mumbai Xpress 2015 participants will have to face a number of mini-races and challenges on a daily basis through which the contestants will also get the opportunity to form a meaningful connection to the places they are visiting. They will not only enjoy the natural beauty of the rural countryside but also sample the local cuisine and culture.
The journey of Mumbai Xpress 2015 event was kicked off in Mumbai on August 10, and the teams since then have passed through Alibagh, Pune, Mahabaleshwar, Ratnagiri, Panaji, Bhatkal, and now Mangaluru. They will next move to Mysuru, Bengaluru, Vellore and then to Chennai where their journey will culminate.