Force-GW and Novo Nordisk Education Foundation organise a Diabetes Walkathon

The walkathon was flagged off from the government school, Seegehalli by Arvind Limbavalli, MLA Mahadevapura constituency with over one thousand enthusiastic participants

Federation of Resident Welfare Association, Communities and Establishments of Greater Whitefield (FORCE-GW), in association with Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF), organised a ‘Diabetes Walkathon’. Rotary Club of Bangalore, Columbia Asia, Vydehi Hospital and Research Center, HDFC Bank, Seegehalli and Kannamangala Panchayats provided required logistical support for this event.

The walkathon was flagged off from the government school, Seegehalli by Arvind Limbavalli, MLA Mahadevapura constituency with over one thousand enthusiastic participants who covered the distance of 3 km.

Inaugurating the walkathon, Limbavalli said, “With approximately 52 per cent Indians being unaware that they have diabetes, the need of the hour is to adopt an active lifestyle to stay healthy. I am happy to see that people have come out in large numbers for this walkathon. This reinforces my belief that events such as these organised with public-private partnership will go a long way in encouraging people to go out and be active.”

The event commenced with a yoga session for the participants to warm-up for the walk and distribution of caps and t-shirts to the participants. The Diabetes Village was declared open by KP Nagesh, District Governor, Rotary Club.

Melvin Oscar D’souza, Managing Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation while addressing the gathering said, “We are happy to partner with Seegehalli and Kannamangala panchayats for this walkathon. With high stress levels, unhealthy food choices, sedentary lifestyle, India is moving towards becoming the diabetes capital of the world. With this walkathon, I am hopeful that we can inspire people to make an active lifestyle, not an option but a habit. Small steps like these can make a big difference over a continued period but we need to start today.”

The event was graced by Kalpana DA Director, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Center; Padma Narayanswamy, Chairperson Kannamangala Panchayat; Santy Sajan, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield, Savitha Suresh Babu, Chairperson Seegehalli Panchayat; Rtn K P Nagesh, District Governor, Rotary; RK Misra, Founder Director, Centre for Smart Cities; and Rtn Panduranga Shetty, RV Group of Institutions; and Papanna, Bangalore Urban VP, BJP.

Giving the vote of thanks, Narendra Vemuri said, “We are thankful to Arvind Limbavalli, MLA Mahadevapura constituency, Sri Melvin Oscar D’souza, Managing Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation and Seegehalli and Kannamangala panchayats for giving us this opportunity to make a difference. This walkathon is just the start and we must remember that we cannot stop now. Today, we all should take the pledge that we will take up at least one activity to stay healthy and keep at it for the next one month to really see the improvement.”