SRLC Sprints for a Cause at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2017

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The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2017 was a special event for the Mission as it coincided with the 150th Birth Anniversary Year of Param Krupalu Dev and the fervour was evident all along the journey of SRLC’s participation. Signifying this special year, over 150 fundraisers enthusiastically raised funds to support the construction of Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital – a new 200-bed multi-speciality charity hospital for the less privileged in Dharampur. This new hospital will provide advanced medical facilities and infrastructure for the people of South Gujarat.

The invigorating morning of 15th January 2017 witnessed over 1,000 SRLC supporters walk the streets of Mumbai. The SRLC entourage spread the message of ‘Awaken the Mahatma within You and Free Others from Suffering.’ They showcased SRLC’s theme of saving and transforming the lives of the less privileged through the Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital. This was depicted by volunteers dressed as two profound personalities from history – Param Krupalu Dev and Mahatma Gandhi leading the entourage as torchbearers of society. The values of truth and non-violence preached by Param Krupalu Dev to Mahatma Gandhi inspired India’s freedom from slavery. However, the modern day India still has many people caged in the vicious cycle of poverty, illiteracy, diseases etc. This theme aimed at raising awareness of the suffering of the people and making efforts to eradicate them, which the new hospital will strive to achieve.

Awestruck Mumbaikars witnessed a spectacular display of costumes. They were left spellbound seeing a unique 3D cage representing various barriers faced by the tribal population and a 3D hospital come to life with SRLC volunteers dressed as ailing patients, ambulances, doctors and nurses. These inspiring attires won SRLC the 1st Runner Up award in the ‘Jabong Run In Costume’. Young and old alike, were seen throbbing with enthusiasm adorned in purple caps and SRLC T-shirts, as they carried banners of the unique 10 fold benevolent programme and fervently chanted slogans and jingles along the 6 km Dream Run. The SRLC Motivational Zone was indeed a sought-after place along the stretch of the Dream Run, which was evident from the audience’s admiration as they witnessed various pulsating performances, including a special stomp performance by the Love and Care Stompers comprising of students from Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul and Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth. Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch children participated in singing and dances to encourage the marathoners and the viewing public!

SRLC received encouragement from several political leaders during the course of the Dream Run such as Shri Devendra Fadnavis – Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri Vijay Goel – Honourable Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and celebrities like John Abraham – Film Actor; Juhi Chawla – Film Actor; Smt Tina Ambani – Chairperson, CSR, Reliance ADAG, Sanjeev Kapoor – Celebrity Chef etc.

SRLC was also accorded Level III privileges at the SCMM 2017, which is the highest category of NGO based on a performance rating criteria. SRLC had the distinction of 24 corporate teams supporting it at the SCMM, extending their financial support to SRLC in its pursuit of providing quality and affordable healthcare to the rural population of South Gujarat. Their contribution to the SRLC cause and participation in the SCMM 2017 bear testimony to their immense faith in SRLC’s vision, focus and execution of social initiatives. SRLC had set a target of raising Rs3.40 crores in SCMM 2017 to signify the 34 glorious years that Param Krupalu Dev graced and blessed this earth. By the blessings of Param Krupalu Dev and Pujya Gurudevshri, this target was successfully achieved.

SRLC’s eye-catching participation at the SCMM 2017 was covered in print media like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, DNA, The Hindu, Gujarat Samachar, Mumbai Samachar, Free Press Journal. Leading TV channels like Star Sports and NDTV 24×7 also covered SRLC’s participation while SRLC trended popularly on online media like Mumbai Mirror, Sports Mirror, Brand Turks, News Tadka, NYOOZ, NGO Network Japan etc.

SRLC at SCMM 2017 – At a glance