Solidarity in South Asia expressed via Run for Inclusion

More than a hundred thousand enthusiasts marched ahead to support Run for Inclusion on December 22, 2013, Sunday following the International Day of Human Solidarity (20th December) in the three countries of the Asian continent. These messengers of inclusion expressed solidarity with a belief that we all have a stake in keeping society moving forward, and will do our fair share to make sure that this happens through education" The event is organised by Aide et Action South Asia, NGO working for education.

Runners from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal geared up to carry the message of inclusion for the excluded communities through education and employment opportunities. The event was organised in more than 50 locations across South Asia at the same time including big cities like Jaipur, Guwahati, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Mumbai and also places like Birhampur, Sundargarh, Banda, Jalandhar, Jamnagar, Chindwara, Nagarcoil etc. and remotest of the villages in India, besides Saptari, Baglung in Nepal and Hikkaduwa, Colombo etc. in Sri Lanka where the messengers of inclusion will promote vision of equitable society for all.

For more information about the run and latest news from each city - www.runforinclusion.org

The Run was flagged off by dignitaries like Amitabh Thakur- DIG of Police and Bikash Mohapatra (Revenue Divisional Commissioner) in Berhampur , Dileep Lahariya- Folk singer and M.L.A. to flag off in Bilaspur, Ms. Hindu, National Gold Medalist at Para Olympic 2012 in Chennai, Roshanara Parvin (Represented India in womens cricket world cup) in Bolangir, Papu Pum Pum (celebrity Odia film industry) in Bhuwaneshwar, , Mount Everester. Tarun Saikia- in Guwahati, Mr. Torak Kharpran, National Level Boxer in Shillong,.Abhijeet Baruah Guinness Book Record Holder for Longest (distance) barefoot running in 24 hrs Mahuramukh- Assam.

In Jaipur the run was flagged off by Jyoti Khandelwal- Mayor, Surbhi Misra- International Squash Champion, Gopal Saini- Olympian, Dr. Amandeep Singh- DCP and group of skaters having set rank and recognised by Limca Book of records. On this occasion, Ravindra Upadhaya channel V super singer sang the theme song "Apni Fikra kit hi humney ab tak, ao fikra karein sabki..." amidst the crowd of 5000 enthusiasts.

Speaking on the occasion Ravi Pratap Singh- Regional Director AEA South Asia shared, "The run is being organized in more than 50 cities of South Asia with a belief that inclusion ensures equality and is achieved through solidarity, so let's run to create a world that promotes essence of equality.

Aide et Action's International representative Ms. Sophie Pilan revealed, "AEA South Asia‘s initiative Run for Inclusion is the extension of AEA‘s international campaign Run Against Exclusion globally".

Ms. Susanthika Jayasinhe, Silver Medalist (200 m) in 2000 Olympic-Sydney flagged off in Sri Lanka. Chief Minister of Southern Province and members of the Provincial Council were other notable individuals who promoted the Run for Inclusion in Sri Lanka.

In Nepal near about 1000 runners thronged in major cities especially Kathmandu valley and few villages and braved the cold wind and supported Run for Inclusion.

The runners belonged to different walks of life and represented inclusion in the true spirit viz. people with disabilities, transgender, youth, population forced to migrate under distress conditions, people from the positive network, corporates, fellows from institutions, government departments, international volunteers, school students, representative from national and international civil society organisations and media.

Big Bazar and News Nation -News Chanel supported the event in India and various other brands expressed their solidarity in different locations like HCL, Getit Infomedia Vodafone, Café Coffee day, Knowledge Steez, Sita Devi Hospital- Jaipur, NICE, DIPR, ADARSH Cooperative Society, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs of Meghalaya, Save the Children- Bihar, Hamara Bachpan Campaign, Down town Hospital Charitable Trust, Suzuki Vishal Motors, Katta Hospital, LIC, BIGFM, Honda etc.

Website- www.aea-southasia.org, www.aide-et-action.org

Source: http://www.businesswireindia.com Press release