Around a thousand people, including students and elderly, have signed up to walk a kilometre and a half to mark World Diabetes Day on Wednesday.
The ninth edition of the Kolkata Walkathon, in association with The Telegraph, will start from the main gate of Victoria Memorial. The walk will be led by 50 cyclists.
With obesity and sedentary lifestyle pushing up the incidence of diabetes, doctors urge people to include physical exercise and walking in their daily routine.
Among the 1,000-odd who have registered for the event are students of Apeejay School, MP Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School, Park English School and IIHM, Salt Lake.
Around 25 members of Nabadisha, an organisation for underprivileged children run by the community policing wing of Calcutta police, will participate in the walk.
People who have enrolled on Pronam, a service run by the city police for elderly people, will match steps with others to spread awareness on diabetes and how to prevent and manage it.
“This one day in the year gets you in the groove for year-long health consciousness. We are happy to organise an event that makes Calcutta aware of diabetes and fighting-fit,” said Krishnendu Banik, CEO, EMG Group, organisers of the event.
The Zumba warm-up has been replaced with a session where the participants will warm up through natural movement under the supervision of an expert.
The organisers have kept open the option of spot registration.
FOR HEALTHY LIVING
- WHAT: Kolkata Walkathon in association with The Telegraph, ninth edition
- WHEN: From 7am on Wednesday
- STARTING POINT: Main gate of Victoria Memorial
- ROUTE: 1.5km, around Victoria Memorial
- PARTICIPATION: Around 1,000 have registered. One can also register at the venue
- TURN UP AT: 6.45am, for the warm-up session
- ORGANISER: EMG Group
- HEALTH PARTNER: ILS Hospitals. An ambulance from the hospital with doctors and nurses will follow the participants
- SPECIAL INVITEE: Designer Agnimitra Paul
