COMING UP

What: #Fearless, a 5km-midnight run with Milind Soman

When: March 24

Assemble at: 11.30pm at South gate of Victoria Memorial. The run starts at midnight

Remember: This event is only for women. If you are below 12, please be there with a female guardian.

Get set, go!

Click on pinkathon.in/kolkata to register for Pinkathon, in association with The Telegraph. The last date to register online is March 29. You can take part in 3km, 5km and 10km races that start at the University of Calcutta ground, Maidan, on April 1 morning. 

From the Maidan, the action shifted to The Bengal Rowing Club on Sunday evening where mothers carrying their babies got two thumbs up. “A woman’s just had a baby three-four months ago… normally she is taught that she has to sit at home for a couple of years till the baby becomes big enough and a little bit independent… walking around and so on… then she can actually begin to live her own life. But baby wearing is an ancient tradition which in cities we have forgotten. We want to bring that back and globally it is growing in any case. We want them to help spread that message about baby wearing and to include as many women with young children as possible. Bring your baby in a harness. The baby will also enjoy and become more confident. These are all the advantages of baby wearing,” said Milind. 

Dhoti, T-shirt, sunnies, chappals in hand and broad smile plastered on his face. That’s how Pinkathon boss Milind Soman led from the front at a couple of promotional events on Sunday, ahead of the second edition of “India’s biggest women’s run” in Calcutta on April 1. The morning was dedicated to a run in saris and a cycle rally around the Maidan. “So many women in India are still comfortable only in saris, salwar kameez, burkha… so, we say it doesn’t matter. We show them that there are so many women cycling in saris, running in saris and doing push-ups in saris, planking in saris… so, nothing should stop you! Do I need that kind of shoes, top or shorts? No, you don’t. Whatever you are wearing is good enough,” said Milind. He was impressed with the expanding running community in Calcutta. “I think the whole philosophy is catching on — that you need to make an effort to take care of your health, but women still need an extra push, little encouragement… not the women who already believe they need to do something, but the women who are not aware,” he said.

Pictures: Arnab Mondal and B. Halder