It was a historic moment in more ways than one as thousands took to the
streets across Kerala to pledge their support to the 35th National Games
and turned ‘Run Kerala Run’, the key promotional event ahead of the
January 31-February 14 National Games, to a success on Tuesday.
The mass race at all the 21 mega points, 226 mini mega points and over
10,000 ordinary points equally attracted an impressive crowds, notably
in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi where the star attractions were cricket
icon Sachin Tendulkar and actor Mohanlal.
It also seemed a good augury as controversies with regard to the
preparations of the Games that had rattled the State through the last
three or four weeks looked as if to have vanished into thin air all of a
sudden when leaders across the political divide jostled to make their
presence felt and joined the race to rub shoulders with excited men and
women, young and old and boys and girls.
In fact, it was a patient wait for most of the participants as people in
large numbers were seen in the streets as early as from 8.30 a.m., a
good two hours prior to the appointed hour. At the South gate of
Government Secretariat here, police had to virtually struggle to keep
the crowd at bay before Mr. Tendulkar joined Chief Minister Oommen
Chandy, Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Home Minister
Ramesh Chennithala, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, Power
Minister Aryadan Mohammed and Speaker of the Kerala Assembly G.
Karthikeyan.
The Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam administered a pledge to the
participants before flagging off the race. However, with the entire
stretch marked for the race remaining crowd, the lead group could hardly
break off into a run and had to virtually walk through the distance
before reaching the Central stadium. In the public function which
followed, Mr. Chandy stressed about the importance of unity among
various sections of society in building up a strong Kerala. “The lesson
here is that we should remain one if Kerala is to make progress,” he
said.
Mr. Tendulkar seemed to be bowled over by the adulation of his fans.
Prefacing his address with the salutation, “Namaskaram”, he hoped that
the people would show responsibility in making the National Games, the
best ever.
“Kerala has always held a special place in my heart and I am sure that
you will extend support to the National Games in the same vein you have
supported Kerala Blasters,” he said.