Schoolkids to embark on roller skates marathon

Pune - A group of 20 school children will embark on a four-day roller-skating marathon from Pune to Mumbai to celebtrate Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary in a unique manner, an organiser said here Friday.

The children, including four girls, all aged between 5-14 years, will start the ‘Skateaway Rally’ from Pune to Gateway of India in Mumbai and spread the message of ‘Saving the Girl Child’.

“We wanted to give a special meaning to Nov 14, celebrated as Children’s Day in the country, and give a larger picture by dedicating it to saving the girl child. This is the first of its kind roller skating rally in India,” said the main organiser of The Adventure Hub, Suresh Babu.

Renowned Marathi writer Babasaheb Purandare termed it as “a really precious moment” since the ‘Skateway Rally’ will infuse new energy in children and enthuse many more to participate in it.

“It’s awesome to be part of such an event… It required lot of practice, energy and support from the trainers of The Adventure Hub,” said Manali, one of the participating students.

The ‘Skateaway Rally’ will roll off from Pune Nov 10, go on to Pimpri-Chinchwad, Talegaon-Dabhade, Lonavala, Khopoli, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, and Dadar, touching the Gateway of India Nov 14.

According to Babu, roller skating first became popular in London and from then it has taken place in people’s hearts all over the world.

It gained popularity in the 1970-1990s and there were federations supporting the sporting event in many countries.