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New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Not a single stretch was free from potholes, MP Tejasvi Surya after TCS 10K Run in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, who took part in the TCS 10K Run on Sunday, wrote an open letter to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru Development Minister, and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath that roads in the city are pathetic and not a single stretch was free from potholes. He claimed that many runners stumbled and got injured due to the potholes. Surya said he ran in the Mumbai Marathon two months ago and the experience was incredible. 'And today (Sunday), it hurt so much to see our city like this,' he lamented. Stating that he has written the letter not only as an MP from Bengaluru, but as an angry and disappointed citizen and participant of the race on Sunday. He said most participants share the angst. 'While it was a matter of great pride to see close to 40,000 people, including some of the world's best athletes, senior citizens, participate in the event, it was equally disappointing to witness the state of our city's roads and public infrastructure - right in the heart of the CBD (Central Business District).' He said, 'CBD roads, which are supposed to be the best roads in the city, are in an absolutely pathetic state - like the roads in the rest of the city. Not a single stretch was free of potholes. Many runners stumbled, sprained their ankles and some even got injured. Senior citizens struggled to even walk without risking a fall.' He said the wheelchair participants had to be assisted throughout the route, not because of their condition but because of our city's unforgiving infrastructure. Garbage dumps at multiple locations, stinking corners and broken footpaths painted a very poor image of Brand Bengaluru, he said. Pointing that many runners look forward to the race, he said, 'They (runners) train, travel and participate with excitement. What we offered them was an obstacle race instead of a world-class experience. We were hosting a Gold Label event, certified by the World Athletics body with athletes from around the world. What image did we portray of our city? Is it so difficult to ensure a bare minimum - pothole-free, clean roads at least for one of the city's premier events? Every road of the city looks like a construction site - dusty, potholed and lifeless.' Holding Bengaluru development minister and BBMP commissioner directly responsible, answerable and accountable for this state of affairs, Surya said, 'I urge you to take this matter seriously, not just for the sake of the TCS 10K or marathons, but for every citizen of Bengaluru who negotiates these roads daily.'
Time of India
27-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Disability to visibility: People with disabilites claim public spaces at marathon
Bengaluru: The city's pothole riddled roads may pose a challenge to even the young and the fit. But that certainly was no deterrent to nearly 700 people with disabilites (PwD), who hit the road with gusto for ' Champions With Disability ', a segment of Sunday's TCS10K run here Sunday. For many PwDs, participation became an opportunity to claim the public space, build confidence, and connect with a wider community. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Among the many cheering at the finishing line was 17-year-old Tanmay Machani, waiting for his little sister, Adithi, a 13-year-old with Down syndrome. Tired in the warm summer morning, Adithi was still catching her breath after the 3K run, when Tanmay proudly spoke about his sibling's feats: "She has been swimming since she was four years old, loves dancing, and walks and goes around on her push scooter. That has built her stamina over the years until the run today. We knew she loved swimming by the sheer joy on her face, and we knew she walks for long, so for a week and a half, we practised, and she got on with the marathon." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here to Read More - Small Business Help Desk Software Expertinspector Click Here Undo Anapoorna K, 45, from Kumaraswamy Layout, Bengaluru, who completed the 3K on an electric wheelchair, said, "I have been coming for TCS run for three years now. They had changed the route this time and it was a challenge. It gave me a sense of accomplishment when I crossed the finish line." Volunteers from NGO proVISION Asia were seen assisting the PwDs in completing the run by providing refreshments and giving a nudge to the wheelchairs, when the participants appeared tired. Jean Kingery, co-founder of proVISION Asia, said: "We have been doing this for the past 17 years. Pushing people around in wheelchairs isn't just an act of service; it is also an act that helps them realise their sense of self and gives them the help required to finish the 3K." Inset (optional) One-leg Uday, as Uday Kumar, 35, is popularly called, charted his own path and defined his journey. On Sunday, he completed his 82nd marathon on one leg and a pair of crutches in the open 10K category. Uday's life turned around when he lost his left leg in a train accident in 2015. "I started questioning myself and became really demotivated. It was just one day in 2017 when I decided to start taking charge of my life, changing my lifestyle. I started jogging with small running communities in Kolkata. Since then, I have never looked back. I have run multiple marathons across the country," said the Kolkata resident and a Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awardee, the highest honour in Indian adventure sport. - Deepshikha Acharya
