Chennai, Mar 7 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off the
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) coastal Cyclothon 'Surakshit
Tat, Samridh Bharat' Safe Coasts, Prosperous India virtually from the
Rajaditya Cholan Regional Training Centre at Thakkolam in Ranipet
district of Tamil Nadu during the 56th Raising Day celebrations on
Friday.
Mr Amit Shah flagged off the Cyclothon virtually that started from
Gujarat and West Bengal respectively.
The Cyclothon is being organized to create awareness about smuggling
of drugs, arms, and explosives, and to strengthen national security in the
coastal areas.
The 6,553 km long Cyclothon will cover West and East Coasts of India.
A total of 125 CISF cyclists, including 14 women, are taking part in this
journey in two groups.
One group of cyclists started from Lakhpat in Gujarat and will reach
Kanyakumari on the March 31, travelling through Surat, Mumbai, Goa,
Mangalore, and Kochi.
The other group started from Bakkhali in West Bengal and will travel
along the entire East Coast, reaching Kanyakumari by traveling through
Haldia, Konark, Paradeep, Vizag, Chennai, and Puducherry.
The cyclists will cover a distance of 3,775 km along the Western Coast
and 2,778 km along the Eastern Coast and they were selected after
undergoing fitness training and mental health assessments.
During this journey, the cyclists will participate in several key events,
including cultural programs, community talks, traditional dances,
cleanliness drives and tree-planting activities.
They will also engage in discussions with local fishermen in the coastal
areas they visit.
The cyclists are expected to reach the Tamil Nadu coast on March 23 and
will participate in events in Chennai featuring Bharatanatyam, Bhangra
and other folk dances, patriotic dramas, and musical performances.
CISF personnel will also participate in adventure activities.
A total of 6,553 km will be covered by the cyclists across the Western and
Eastern Coasts. Cyclists reaching Kanyakumari on March 31 will receive
a grand welcome at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial on the beach front.
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