The Kross Bikes Mangalore cyclothon 2024: 1200+ cyclists pedal for road safety, fitness awareness
Mangaluru: The Kross Bikes Mangalore Cyclothon-2024, held on Sunday morning, attracted around 1,200 cyclists, including schoolchildren, professional cyclists, and regular riders from different clubs. The event focused on promoting road safety and responsible cycling, with a special emphasis on school students and their parents.
"The rally was organized to raise awareness about road safety and responsible cycling for students and their parents," said Harnish Raj of We R Cycling.
The event was flagged off by Dakshina Kannada SP Yatish N, who expressed his delight at seeing so many children enthusiastically participating in the event, which focused on fitness, road awareness, and safety. The children were divided into two batches, with a lead car from the police department, a safety car, and senior cyclists guiding the ride. The rally began at Mangala Stadium at 7.15 am, covering a distance of 6.5 km through prominent city locations like Shri Narayana Guru Circle, Lalbagh, Jail Road, and Karangalpady Market, before concluding at the Amrita Vidyalayam school ground in Boloor around 8.15 am.
Following the rally, a post-rally workout was conducted by Kasharp Fitness. The valedictory ceremony was attended by various guests, including R S Jamwal, Zonal Sales Head of Kross Bikes; Mukund Kamath of Ideal Ice Cream; Yogesh Patidar, Divisional Sales Head of IOCL; Anand Prabhu of Kasharp Fitness; Shubhananda and Shivananda Rao of Grahini Masala; and S M Muthalib of Taj Cycle Co. A lucky draw was held for registered participants, with two cycles given away to lucky winners Mohammad Diyan and Ewan D'Souza.
Cyclist Gleona D'Souza, who represented Karnataka State in the Senior Women Cycling category at the National Cycling event, was honored for her remarkable achievement, marking a first for a Mangalorean. Hardik Rai, who participated in the state-level cycling competition and the 642 km Deccan Cliffhanger endurance race from Pune to Goa, was also felicitated for his accomplishments. Young cyclist Shamanth Bhat was recognized for his representation in the state-level cycling event.
We R Cycling president Sarvesha Samaga congratulated all the cyclists and encouraged budding riders to work harder in organized events to secure podium finishes at the state and national levels. He urged cyclists to pursue their dreams of representing the district, state, and national teams. First-aid and ambulance services were provided by A.J. Hospital, and Taj Cycles offered backup vehicles and mechanic assistance. The event was organized by Team 'We R Cycling' in collaboration with Kross Cycles, Ideal Ice Cream, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Kasharp Fitness, Grahini Masala, Canara Bank, and Taj Cycles.
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Allu Arjun didn't leave theatre despite being told about woman's death: Hyderabad police
Hyderabad, Dec 22: Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died, police officials claimed on on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner C V Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.
The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre till the midnight.
Anand did not make any comment on the video, but said the media can draw its own conclusions.
A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.
He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.
Allu Arjun's staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.
The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman's death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans don't harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.
However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.
Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.
Amid allegations that bouncers hired by Allu Arjun pushed crowds as well as policemen when the stampede occurred at the cinema hall, the police commissioner warned that stringent action as per law would be taken if THE bouncers indeed misbehaved with the police on duty.
The VIPs would be made responsible for the behaviour of the bouncers hired by them, he said.
Asked if the police would appeal against the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun, the commissioner refused to give a direct response, just saying it is part of the investigation.
What course of action is taken would be known in the days to come, he said.
He also declined to comment when asked if the family of the deceased told him about Allu Arjun's team or film production team allegedly threatening them not to speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy found fault with Allu Arjun responding on Saturday to the debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister, who observed that the actor should have respect for the government and the chief minister, demanded an apology from Allu Arjun to the government and the CM.
"This government is never vindictive. As Cinematography Minister, we allowed benefit shows and hiking ticket prices to promote the film industry," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar found fault with CM Revanth Reddy for his comments on Allu Arjun in the Assembly on Saturday.
The comments of the CM sounded like character assassination of Allu Arjun and hurting the Telugu film industry, he alleged in a statement.
Later in the day, Sanjay Kumar visited a boy who is undergoing treatment in a hospital after being injured in the stampede.
"Consoled his father over the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Revathi. I pray to god that Sritej recovers at the earliest. Assured support to the family in this difficult time," Kumar said on X.
Earlier in the day, state DGP Jitender told reporters in Karimnagar district that film personalities and all others should understand that safety and security of citizens is utmost important, and also conduct themselves accordingly.
