Area V's 'Chak De Round Table India' at the Great Delhi Run/Vodafone Half Marathon

At the meeting point
Interview to Siti Channel
Waiting for Transport
At the Holding area
Aree Ramlila wale, accha free hain aaj!
To the starting point
chale chalo
Kya Rahul ko hamari T shirt jyada pasand hai
Jam ke nacho
Ruko aage kya hai? kaunsa TV channel?
Waiting to go on air-Live India TV
Photo op.
Woh dekho helicopter itna neeche
Chalo dhoop se to bache
Yeah we finished first!

Hi Friends,

It was a Mega event for which not only we at AreaV but the entire Delhi had been waiting for- the Vodafone Half Marathon & Great Delhi Run on October 28, 2007.

Our preparations began little over a month back with a call to every one in Area V to register. 71 souls - Tablers, Wives/Circlers, Kids & friends regsitered under our Group entry.

As publicity was the main objective, vibrant yellow T shirts with RTI & FTE branding & banners were designed. National pitched in with RTI caps and car stickers. A day befor the event, some apologies came in, but at the same time others who could not register earlier came forward to join us!

We all got together at parking lot in Bhikaji kama Place and after putting on our RTI T shirts and running numbers, headed for the Run venue opposite Nehru Park. On the way giving interview to Siti Channel. A Huge carnival atmosphere with people dressed up as ramlila characters, villagers, bare-chested men, monuments, Bhangra groups, clowns, sexy cheerleaders (guys at home u really missed something!!).

Our Contingent with vibrant yellow T shirts and banners held high really stood out. So, in a group we marched towards the starting point. And guess, who was there, looking at our vibrant T shirts temptingly...none other than Rahul Dravid!!

So, the run began and we ran & ran & stopped ... to give interviews to TV crews who were stationed all along the route... NDTV India (live)... Sahara Samaya NCR(live).... and we again ran & ran and stopped... Delhi Aaj Tak ahead!

Delhi Aaj Tak did a special coverage on us with the theme- Why did Delhi run? We got to speak clearly about Round Table India and our cause-Freedom through Education. The story was telecast on the Channel 5 times through the day !!

We again started running and bumped into CNN IBN & India Live (Janmat) and gave live Interviews. Oh yes, Radio Mirchi too .. mentioned Freedom Through Education .. as one of the causes Delhites ran for !!!

So, it was running & stopping every 5 minutes to give TV coverages. And that's why we were there in first place .. to get publicity for Round Table India and FTE!! and one feels good that we managed to do just that. We got TV coverages on 5-6 Channels, radio, great visibility with thousands of people around, and had great fun and fellowship too.

Thanks to the 40 odd team members- Tablers from Table 24, 32, 43, 50, 149 , 171 & 185, Circlers from LC 15 & 89 and wives & Kids of tablers who got up so early on a cool sunday morning to join our team for the Run. Special efforts by tablers from Jaipur- Tr Ravi Goenka(171) & Tr Anish Kothari(185) who came all the way to support & participate in this event. That's the spirit Guys!!! Your participation motivated us. Thanks to Tablers of DSRT 32-Ravi G, Vicky, Vinod, HT Yogesh & Circlers of DSLC-15 for their support and specially to Cr Nima who was co-ordinating the TV coverages.

Attached are a few snaps and some TV clips that we could capture. rest may be uploaded as soon as we get them.

Warm Regards

YIT

Tr Kulbhushan Rakheja

Publicity Convenor, RTI Area V