Over 6,000 participate in Republic Day Ride

Hyderabad, Jan 26 (INN): India's biggest Corporate Cycling Event ' 'Republic Day Ride' was back once again and held at GMC Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli here on Sunday.

The Republic Ride 2014 event began with the flag hoisting at 7 AM by Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General AK Khan, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital Chairman and cine-actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, actress Charmi, Arunima Sinha, the world's first female amputee to climb Mount Everest, Let's Vote founder J.A Chowdary, Deenanath Harpanahalli, Atlanta Foundation Founder and Chairman, Film Personality Thamma Reddy Baradwaj, actress Reshma from the forthcoming Telugu movie Pratighatana and Government Schools students who are part of The Atlanta Foundation's (TAF) Education program.

Speaking after flag hoisting, AK Khan said that voting is the cornerstone of a democracy but sadly far too few people vote. And coming few months are very crucial for India as there will be Genenal Elections. He urged all the youth, IT company executives who assembled to note the date of voting asked them to vote without fail.

Balakrishna congratulated Atlanta Foundation for their initiative which is very laudable. Cycling in olden days was part of our daily life, but, not now. We must make it our daily routine to keep fit. Today, 50 of our doctors are participating in the Republic Ride proves our commitment for the health of the public. He also urged youth to take out time to go to polling booths to vote.

Being held continuously for the past 5 years, it is the most awaited event by corporates in the city. With record number of cyclists participation in the event each year, it will be soon applying for Limca Book of Records. Six thousand bicyclists from over 100 plus MNCs such as Wells Fargo, Dupont, Invesco, HSBC, Broadridge, TCS, United Technologies, Karvy, Google, Diebold, etc took part in the event. It is by far the biggest Corporate Cycling Event in the country. And The Republic Day was celebrated with patriotic fervor and grandeur.

The Republic Ride 2014 had a distance options of 2 Kms (Joy Ride), 100 Kms (Pride Ride). The ride was flag-off at the stadium, culminate at the stadium. The shorter distances of 2KMs, 6KMs and 10KMs were held within the stadium complex. 100Kms riders rode out of the stadium and came back after covering a scenic route of 100Kms which include the Gandipet and Himayat Sagar lakes. Pride Riders received a medal and certificate while Joy Riders got a certificate.

The youngest rider in the event, 10 year old Master Rishiram, a 5th standard student of Chirec, participated in the 100 Kms (Pride Ride) rider along with his mother Sirisha. Nearly 10 senior citizens in the age group of 65-70 years are also participated in the Republic Ride 2014.