India CSR News Network
PUNE: Finolex Industries Ltd. In association with their CSR partner Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) along with Bicycle Angels, a not-for-profit social initiative, and transport partner Ashok Leyland, organized a Cyclothon from Pune to Ratnagiri from 21st November 2016 to 26th November 2016.
The six-day event included conducting medical health check-up camps in 6 ZP schools en route, in the districts of Satara (Shirval, Umbraj, Kokrud, Pali) and Ratnagiri (Basni) and their own school Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya, Golap, Ratnagiri. Bicycle Angel’s also donated 7 livelihood cycles to individuals in these areas.
Two professional cyclists, Rakesh Bakshi (Bicycle Angel’s founder, film maker & author of ‘The Director’s Diaries’) and Prof. Ram Dhillon (Renowned ENT surgeon from UK), along with MMF’s CSR team and over 20 doctors from renowned hospitals of Pune (KEM Hospital, H V Desai Eye Hospital, Cochlea Pune and Sassoon General Hospital) embarked on this journey. Over 3000 students underwent check-ups of dental, ENT, ophthalmic and general and also received hygiene hampers!
While elaborating on the idea behind the initiative, Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee of MMF, said, “The Cyclothon is an initiative that has become our calendar event. We have been monitoring the health of these students year after year and helping out these schools with other requirements such as an RO drinking water system and infrastructure.”
Bicycle Angel’s founder, filmmaker and author of “The Director’s Diaries”, Rakesh Bakshi said “When your livelihood depends on someone, you will truly value the humble bicycle. I would like to thank my donors who have contributed for our cause.”
Prof. Ram Dhillon, a successful ENT specialist from the UK, said “I am delighted to support, for a third consecutive year, the MMF Cyclothon 2016, which delivered medical camps for under privileged school children located between Pune and Ratnagiri. I do charity work in the UK and my involvement with India has come through the MMF Managing Trustee, Ritu Chhabria, who works tirelessly to assist those who are less fortunate than others. Some of the participants, including myself, will be cycled between the schools visited, a total of 180 km, over a 6 day period.”
