Spirited response to Garo hills cyclothon

AMPATI, JAN 20: Hundreds of youths from across Garo hills braved inclement weather to participate in the “Green Tour Garo Hills” – cycle marathon from Tura to Ampati, spanning a distance of nearly 50 kms, organized jointly by West Garo hills and South West Garo hills district administrations on Wednesday morning.

The cyclothon, which is the second edition of the Green Tour Garo Hills, was organized in partnership with the Tura based NGO –

William Initiative – to spread the message of clean and green concept and promote the use of bicycles as a mode of transport, which would help in reducing pollution in the long run.

The first Tura-Ampati cyclothon was held in January, 2013, last.

The event was held under the sponsorship of Chief Minister’s Youth for Green and Youth Development programmes.

The cycle marathon was flagged off by West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi at Tura Law College and the cyclists bearing the logo “I ride for green Garo Hills” rode through Damalgre, Garobadha, Betasing and cumulated at Ampati Mini Stadium, where a brief function was held for prize distribution.

Parliamentary secretary in-charge excise, Michael T. Sangma, South West Garo hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh and the outgoing Superintendent of Police, Ampati, Aditya Goenka were among the prominent persons who participated in the cycle marathon.

The first three winners of the tour in the men’s category are Niksrang Marak from Ampati (1:43.27); Brijit Marak from Resubelpara (1:46.58) and Malojan Marak from Ampati (1:48.16). In the women’s category Meghaline Marak from Resubelpara (2:27), Liangly Sangma from Resubelpara (2:28.02) and Kakimchi Sangma from Ampati (2:35.32) were the first, second and third prize winners, respectively.

The first prize winners bagged Rs 50,000 each, while the second and third were each given Rs. 30,000 and Rs.10,000, respectively along with the trophies.

Later, all the participants and the officials present signed the pledge to take ownership of their own localities and villages and maintain greenery and cleanliness around them.-From Our Correspondent