The Cause: Creating awareness against Environment pollution and Drug Abuse: an inspired initiative of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (Chyk) and Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (University).
The Cycle Yatris:
Chyks: Sanjay Sahadevan, Sooraj, Asiq, Harikrishnan, Abhijith, Athul Saji CHYK, Jayakrishnan, Sanoop
Yuvaveers: Arun Raman, Jishnu Manmadan, Kalidas
CVV Students: Nikhil, Vishnu, Sarang
A group of 14 inspired Yatris, led by Br Sudheer Chaitanya, began their journey from Thiruvananthapuram on 8th July and pedalled across Kerala upto Kasaragod on July 19th. Throughout the team was supported by Chinmaya Mission centres and Chinmaya Vidyalaya schools in their journey across 11 districts of Kerala (Trivandrum > Kollam > Allapuzha > Kottayam > Ernakulam > Thrissur > Palakkad > Kozhikode > Kannur > Kasargod).
The team of Yatris covered 855 kms, cycling 8hrs daily, covering a distance of 80 to 90 kms on an average be it rain or shine. Their pit-stops were at schools where the team members would conduct sessions to create awareness about Environment protection and Drug abuse. Each session conducted by either a Yuvaveer or a Chyk member, would conclude with all attendees taking the pledge to ward off temptation of drugs and commit to fight with conviction against drug abuse. The accompanying CVV students also spoke about their experience as students of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, a unique University that approaches contemporary industry relevant education with a firm foundation of ancient Indian wisdom, thus moulding responsible citizens towards global harmony. Supporting the University was part of the initiative taken up by Chyk as part of this project. The team of Cycle Yatris thus reached out to 5000+ students spanning 21 educational institutions. The team was well received and also accompanied by teams of students from the institutions they visited on the way.
The grand finale was at Chinmaya Vidyalaya Kasaragod where the team was received with great fanfare and were honoured at the valedictory function. Pujya Swami Viviktanandaji, Regional Head Chinmaya Mission Kerala, applauded the team and awarded each member with a shield commemorating their contribution to this noble cause. The Chyk team truly stood up to Gurudev’s vision for Chyk – “Harnessing youth potential through dynamic spirituality”. An inspired initiative by an inspired team that kindled the inspiration in all they reached out to during the journey! Jai Bharat!