Mangaluru: An honest effort by the Mangalorean motorcycling community on Sunday, September 25 involved collecting funds as a part of the global cancer awareness initiative, ‘The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The proceedings were donated to Ave Maria Palliative Care unit in the city.
About one hundred bikers from various biking clubs united for the cause in Forum Mall, Pandeshwar where a talk was conducted by veteran doctors in acknowledging the general public about the causes, symptoms and cures of various types of cancer. Apart from the topic of cancer, the ride was also about standing against abuse of drugs and suicide.
Forum Mall event
In the general awareness programme conducted by the biking fraternity in association with experts in the medical field, Psychiatry and carcinogenic activities of human beings were touched upon.
Dr Srinivas Bhat, a renowned psychiatrist of the city spoke about the prevention of suicide and ill effects of drug abuse. “Drugs should be strongly discouraged as it has nothing good to contribute to the society. Any individual must stay away from various drugs as it can take a serious toll on the psychology of the person in ways more than one. Apart from personal problems, it also creates problems in the relationships with others and can distance the user from reality which can be utterly dangerous for personal growth in the career as well as health”, Dr Srinivas said.
Speaking about suicide prevention Dr Bhat said, “Suicidal tendencies are common in human beings, it is looked at as an escape from reality. But in fact it is just a thought in fantasy and nothing will be achieved by committing suicide. Especially in teenage years, proper guidance should be given to the growing kids as hormonal changes in the body creates extreme mood swings and a dejected teen could take the rope. Awareness for parents and mentors on handling suicidal tendencies in teens should be given to curb suicide.”
Doctors in the field of cancer care, Eugene Brent and Shivshankar Bhat took various questions from the distinguished gathering and answered all of them about the various forms of cancer, precautions, measures, ways to tackle deadly growth and cleared the doubts of the riders.
Dr Eugene and Dr Shivshankar have made a page on Facebook ‘Mangalore Cancer Support Group’ where Facebook users can post their queries and get them answered as soon as possible.
The great Mangalorean Ride
The event ‘The Distinguished Gentleman’s ride’ saw riders from Mangalore Bulls (Bullet riders club), Jawa and Yezdi riders club, Naked Wolves (Pulsar 200 NS club), Lambretta scooter club and several individual riders who rode in unison to create awareness in Mangaluru. The event, however, was not restricted to the gentlemen; four lady riders of the ‘Bikerni’ club also played an active role in the event.
The sight of almost a hundred bikers with their headlamps on, dressed in formal attire riding in two-file formation indeed raised curiosity among the general public. An intrigued passerby in Bejai new road spoke to NewsKarnataka and when the matter was discussed with her about the whole event, she agreed that it is indeed a good move by the biking community.
The Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen rode across the town from Form Mall in Pandeshwar to Vamanjoor taking the Hampankatta – PVS Circle – Lalbagh – Bejai – Kadri – Nanthoor Junction route.
In a nutshell
Bikers from all over the world have organised the ride on behalf of the event. The total collection for the cause of cancer treatment and research has crossed the $ 3 Million mark. Participants from Europe, Australia and the USA are flooding their Facebook walls with pictures of the event.
