Women pride reverberates all over

Cycle ride to celebrate Women’s Day

Women have always had a multi-faceted role in the society. Whether as a home-maker, professional or as a mother, they have always nurtured whatever comes their way to make the world a better place to live in. Celebrating the spirit of womanhood, the Hyderabad Bicycling Club (HBC), in association with the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), hosted an exclusive ‘Women’s Cycle Ride’ at the Gachibowli Bike Station on Saturday.

The 10-km cycle ride witnessed the participation of over 400 women from all walks of life. The ride was flagged off by Minnie Matthew, former chief secretary, AP. After flagging off the ride, she said, “One prerequisite of women’s empowerment is easy mobility. The bicycle is an apt mode of transport which promotes healthy living and also saves the environment. Taking to cycling on a day like this is surely a good beginning.”

DV Manohar, chairman, HBC, said, “We conducted this ride to celebrate the joy of being a woman. It has been noted in history that a community that respects its women is the one that prospers. We must learn to appreciate a woman’s contribution to the society. That is why the HBC hosted this ride specifically for women. We also vow to make this as an annual event to commemorate International Women’s Day. The ‘All Women Ride’ would encourage and popularise bicycle as a mode of transport amongst women.”

NVS Reddy, MD, HMR, said, “Cycling is not just a mode of transport but also a form of exercise. This pleasant ‘All Women Ride’ would surely encourage more women to take to pedalling.”

The women who were placed in the top three were awarded prizes by Minni Matthew. Shipra Chengi who was placed first, completed the 10 km ride in 22 minutes. Speaking to Hyderabad Hans she said, “For women this is the best form of exercise. Riding a cycle gives women a sense of freedom. This is what all women must strive for.”

Although there was a slight drizzle in the morning, the women riders took it in their stride and enjoyed the weather during the ride.

“The weather didn’t play spoilsport at all. It actually enhanced the bike riding experience even better,” said Shashi, another rider.

Also present at the event were Dr Suchitra Ella, MD of Bharat Biotech and chairperson, Indian Women Network; Vanitha Datla, vice-chairperson, CII; Sita Lakshmi, appellate deputy commissioner, commercial taxes; and others.

‘I am a lady’ website to monitor women’s health

Apollo Hospitals, in association with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), Yellow Thursday and JRC Convention & Trade Fairs, has launched the website

Nearly, 56,000 new borns die in a month in India due to malnourishment of mothers, according to Sangita Reddy, executive director of Apollo Hospitals. She was speaking at the launching of the website ‘I am a lady’ on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Apollo Hospitals in association with FICCI-FLO, Yellow Thursday and JRC Convention and Trade Fairs, launched a portal ‘I am a Lady’ -- a health empowerment initiative. Actress Lakshmi Manchu, Kavitha, president, Telengana Jagruthi, and Kshira Reddy, head of JRC Convention Centre, formally launched the initiative.

Sangita Reddy said, “Health is the biggest virtue and this initiative aims at covering a 360-degree overall wellness for women. ‘I am a lady’ will be an online portal which will have continuous updates on women’s health and well being. It will serve as a platform for women from different fields to share their ideas, dreams, ambition, purposes and concerns. Women in our country are malnourished leading to 56,000 new born deaths per month. In comparison, China loses only 6,000 children during birth. In India, cervical cancer is the biggest concern, which is not the case at all in the USA. Atrocities against women are prevalent in every class and this is a grave concern too,”

Kavitha, founder, Telangana Jagruthi, said, “The kind of problems and discrimination women face in our society is different. In addition to the class, they also undergo caste discrimination. As long as women don’t raise their voice they won’t be given a choice and men will continue to decide on their behalf. Telangana Jagruthi will work as a pressure group to ameliorate the condition of women and on their security and development.”

Lakshmi Manchu, actress and director, said, “The change that we all desire should start from our home, bring about the change within our families, in our immediate environment. Then automatically, we will see the change in the society.”

The programme had several other elements like photography and art exhibition, casual painting for amateurs etc. Photography and art exhibition was organised by Loona Logan to encourage and support women creativity and amateur artists which was a hit with the women. A basic check and dental care package was extended to all.