Mangaluru: In order to create awareness about suicide and its prevention, several forums came together and organised a bicycle rally and walkathon in the city on Sunday, October 6.
The Mangaluru Bicycle Club (MBC) organised the bicycle rally and Susheg helpline organised the walkathon.
Nearly 40 members of the MBC participated in the rally, which was flagged off by IMA Mangaluru secretary Sudhindra Rao. The rally passed through key-points of the city such as K S Rao Road, Lady Hill, Mannagudda, Bunt’s Hostel and Dr Ambedkar Circle, before reaching the programme venue – St Aloysius College. United Bikers’ Club members assisted the riders.
A retired World Health Organisation (WHO) officer from St Agnes College flagged off the walkathon and the participants walked all the way to the programme venue.
MLA and former minister U T Khader and Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath launched the Susheg helpline portal – www.suicidelifeline.in (0824-2983444) and expressed hope that those in distress will benefit from this initiative. Susheg Charitable Trust aims at promoting mental health, creating awareness about suicide and reaching out to people in need.
Singer and music director Gurukiran, consultant psychiatrist Jagadish, Nitte ( Deemed to be University) Vice-Chancellor Sathish Kumar Bhandary, St Aloysius Institutions Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz, Melwin Pinto from Sarang Radio and others were present.
