With launch of COP27, bicycle rally held in Mangaluru for awareness on climate change
Mangaluru: The Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike (KKJV) initiated an awareness campaign in the city on Sunday, even as the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) kick started in Egypt.
The launch of the campaign coincided with the international convention for the organizers to spread awareness on the gravity of the climate crisis and the urgency to undertake bold, ambitious, just and equitable climate solutions in the interest of the planet and the people. The campaign in Mangaluru was also a part of a series of coordinated bike actions in cities and countries in Asia, led by the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD).
The bicycle rally in Mangaluru was flagged off by Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, principal of St Aloysius College, and Dr Smitha Hegde, professor at Nitte University, Centre for Science Education and Research, along with Mr. K. Shashidhara Hegde, who has cycled to work and back 8 km for four and a half years. The race started at St Aloysius College (Autonomous) at 8 am on Sunday, and traversed the arterial roads of the city, before culminating at Kadri Park at around 9:30 am.
Dr Martis, speaking on theme of the rally, ‘Reparations for the Climate Crisis’, said, “We are a part of a group of enlightened citizens and would like to strive for climate justice. All of us should really take part in it, bring others onboard and also fight for it as it is our right as also our future generations’.”
Dr Smitha Hegde lauded the participants, saying that the secret was in youth-led ‘self-start’. “The power is in you, you can definitely make the change,” she stressed.
At Kadri Park, the bicyclists, who reached just after 9 am, were welcomed by citizens with cheers and claps for their effort. After refreshments, the finish line commenced with young organizer Sandipa Nath briefing the participants on the event’s agenda.
Chief guest Dr Smitha Hegde spoke on damage to climate and ecosystems because of temperature rise, urging the participants to contribute to prevention of climate change, referring to pay ‘Prithvi Runa’ – debt to Mother Earth – before leaving the earth.
Social activist Vidya Dinker speaking on the objectives of the bicycle ride, said that youngsters were needed to assert the repairs to climate action from those who bear greater responsibility for the crisis. “Our pressure must be exerted at all levels, holding authorities accountable,” she said and cited the example of hazardous fossil fuels industries expanding in Mangaluru.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
