Bhubaneswar: Rotary International District 3262 organised an all-women motor rally aimed at creating awareness about organ donation, in the city Sunday. Two-hundred women motorists participated in the rally that included two-wheelers and four-wheelers. It was flagged off from Janata Maidan at 8.30 am and culminated back there after covering 20 km across the capital. Commissioner of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and MLAs Priyadarshi Mishra and Shruti Mohapatra flagged off the rally.
Speaking of the event, Rotary District Governor Ajay Agarwal said, “The purpose behind this rally was to create awareness among women so that they can motivate other members of the family to donate their organs.”
Designer and Rotarian Shweta Parekh, who took part in the rally, said the concept of donating organs was great and that she was very excited about participating in the event. “I thought if I can save someone’s life by taking part in this rally, then why not?” she said.
Geeta Patel, another participant, said, “I feel I am on a picnic and it is for a good cause.” The rally team of Neetu Mohanty and Nirali Patnaik shared their excitement about taking part in a rally for a good cause that was also an all-women event.
Rotary International Chairperson Jayashree said the ride was aimed at sending a positive message to the society. “We have Lakhs of patients waiting for an organ. A large number of the participants here have joined the rally for a good cause. All of them have already taken the pledge to donate their organs and it is great for people in need of organ transplants.”
The rally was won by Nikita and Nisita Baliarsingh who took home a trophy and purse of Rs10,000 in addition to gift vochers. Among two-wheeler rallyists Smita Madhuri Rout and her mother-in-law Ratnaprava Behera came winners.