Smile Foundation organised a series of walkathon under its national level campaign ‘Be the Change’ sensitising people about the less fortunate children
Thousands of children from many privileged and underprivileged schools of Bangalore participated in a ‘Walkathon’ organised by Smile Foundation on November 12, 2009 under its national level campaign ‘Be The Change’. The children walked hand-in-hand urging people to take a positive step towards changing the lives of less privileged children for the better.
The Walkathon was part of a series of Walkathon being organised by Smile Foundation across the country under the campaign ‘Be the Change’ from November 7 to November 13, 2009.
Children from reputed schools walked together with underprivileged children from different Smile Foundation centres sensitising people to take a step forward on issues related to health and education of underprivileged children.
The Walkathon aimed at sensitising people about the widening gap between haves’ and have-nots’. The Walkathon brought together both privileged and underprivileged children under one platform, sensitising the privileged masses about the plight of underprivileged people and inviting them to join hands with Smile Foundation to ‘Be the Change’ to Bring a Change in the lives of underprivileged children.
Speaking about the Walkathon, Naresh Chaudhury, Chief Operating Officer, Smile Foundation said, “If we can bridge the gap between privileged and underprivileged, we can address all kinds of issues. The Walkathon is an attempt under our nation wide campaign ‘Be the Change’, to sensitise children from both the classes. If the children get convinced at this age, it will influence what they choose later in their life.”
The week-long ‘Walkathon’ was organised in 9 cities of India namely New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Vadodara and Nagpur.
Details of Walkathon GOA – 07.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 7 started at 10.00 a.m. from Azad Maidan, Panaji and culminated at the same venue. It was flagged off by Mr. K.D. Singh, Inspector General of Police, Goa. Smile Foundation honoured 7 children from different schools of Goa for bringing laurels to the state in different fields. More than 600 children participated in it.
HYDERABAD – 10.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 10 started at 8.30 a.m. from near Lumbini Park and culminated at Indira Priyadarshini Marg at 10.00 a.m., which was followed by a cultural programme at Indira Priyadarshini auditorium which ended at 12.30 p.m. Ms. Amala Akkineni, Actress and Mr. Navin Mittal, Collector and District Magistrate were the special guests on the occasion. More than 700 children participated in it.
New Delhi – 10.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 10 started at 8.30 a.m. from near Delhi Tamil Education Association School, Lodi Estate and culminated at Delhi Kannada Senior Secondary School. The walkathon was flagged off by chief guest Ms Nafisa Ali, actress, former Miss India, politician. About 150 children participated in the Walkathon.
VADODARA – 10.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 10 started at 9.00 a.m. from near Faculty of Fine Arts. The walkathon was flagged off by chief guest Mr. Bharti Vyas, former Mayor, Vadodara. Prof. N. N. Parmar of the Faculty of Social Work, Maharaja Sayaji Rao University was the special guest. More than 350 children from many organisations participated in it.
NAGPUR – 11.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 11 started at 9.00 AM from near Diksha Bhumi and culminated at the same venue at 11.00 a.m. Ms Aparna Kolhe, Child Welfare Officer, Government of Maharashtra was the chief guest who flagged off the Wlakathon. Mr. Umesh Chowbey, social activist was the special guest on the occasion. More than 300 children participated in the walkathon.
CHANDIGARH – 12.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 12 started at 10.00 a.m. from near Football Stadium, Sector 17 and culminated near the Church at Sector 19. Mr Ram Nivas, Secretary, Home was the chief guest and Dr. Ignatius, Bishop of Chandigarh and Shimla Dignities was the special guest.
BANGALORE – 12.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 12 started at 09.30 a.m. from near Army Public School, Sector 17 and culminated at the same at 11.30 a.m.. Ms. Ashwini Nachappa, actress and social worker was the chief guest and Mr. Syed Kirmani was the guest of honour. About 700 children participated in the walkathon.
KOLKATA – 13.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 13 started at 9.30 a.m. from near Madhusudan Mancha, Dhakuria and culminated at South City International School. Mr Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti, Commissioner of Police was the chief guest and Ms Swastika Mukherjee, Actress and Mr. Sumit Dasgupta, Editor of The Telegraph Metro was also present on the occasion. About 400 children participated in the walkathon.
CHENNAI – 13.11.2009
The Walkathon organised on November 13 started at 9.30 a.m. from near Labour Statue, Kamarajar Salai and culminated near Gandhi Statue, Kamarajar Salai. Renowned Actor-Director-Writer Mr. Prathiban was the chief guest. His daughter child artist Keerthana flagged off the walkathon. More than 450 children participated in it.
More than 800 children from many privileged and underprivileged schools across Goa participated in a ‘Walkathon’ organised by Smile Foundation on November 7, 2009 under its national level campaign ‘Be The Change’. The children walked hand-in-hand urging people to take a positive step towards changing the lives of less privileged children for the better.
The walkathon was flagged off by Mr. K.D. Singh, Inspector General of Police, Goa at Azad Maidan, Panaji. Smile Foundation honoured 7 children from different school of Goa for bringing laurels to the state in different fields.
The Walkathon was part of a series of Walkathon being organised by Smile Foundation across the country under the campaign ‘Be the Change’ from November 7 to November 13, 2009. The Walkathon started at 10.00 AM from Azad Maidan, Panaji and culminated at the same venue.
The Walkathon aimed at sensitising people about the widening gap between haves’ and have-nots’. Children from reputed schools walked together with underprivileged children from different Smile Foundation centres sensitising people to take a step forward on issues related to health and education of underprivileged children.
The week-long ‘Walkathon’ is being organised in 9 cities of India namely New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Vadodara and Nagpur.
Through the Walkathon, Smile Foundation aims at bringing together both privileged and underprivileged children under one platform, sensitising the privileged masses about the plight of underprivileged people and inviting them to join hands with Smile Foundation to ‘Be the Change’ to Bring a Change in the lives of underprivileged children.