The PAN India Cyclothon, an initiative under the central government’s Swasth Bharat Yatra to promote healthy eating and living that reached Dimapur from Kohima on Tuesday, left for its next stop, Diphu, at 7 a.m on Thursday from Hotel Saramati, Super Market, Dimapur.
The contingent of around 40 cyclists comprising of NCC cadets from air and infantry divisions led by Asenla Imsong, proceeded towards Diphu, Karbi Anglong where the baton will be handed over to the lead cyclist of the Diphu team.
In a brief flag off ceremony, additional deputy commissioner, Albert Ezung expressed his delight at the sight of enthusiastic youngsters taking up a noble cause.
He urged the cyclists present to remember the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and live by them adding that eating right and staying healthy should be a way of life and not merely a one-day program or a rally.
After his brief speech, the ADC handed over the baton to lead cyclist, Asenla Imsong after which the rally was flagged off. The campaign trail in its next North East leg will touch seven towns and cities in Assam and also stop over at Shillong and Itanagar. A total of 60 stops have been scheduled for the North East region.
The cyclothon kicked off from Agartala on October 16 coinciding with World Food Day and will culminate on January 26 in New Delhi- after traversing 2000 towns and cities covering a distance of 18,000 kms with around 7,500 voluntary cyclists from every State and Union Territory.
The flag off ceremony at Hotel Saramati was chaired by Chandrika Das. District FSO, Samuel Zehol; deputy chief medical officer, Antoly Suu, and officials of the FSSAI and State Public Health Laboratory were also in attendance.