10K walk in Kolkata to raise healthcare funds for the impoverished

The fifth edition of 'Route 55', a 10 km walkathon event in the city, aimed at raising funds for the impoverished in the society, would be held on December 24, organisers said on Wednesday.

The fundraising initiative organised by the alumni of Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) in Howrah district's Sibpur and Belur Sramajibi Hospital, has been held since 2013 on the iconic bus route 55, a key link between Howrah and Kolkata, to help improve healthcare access for the poor.

Organisers also plan to give out free health cards to at least 70 city bus drivers and conductors this year.

"There are a number of walkathons and other mass running events in the city now but this one is unique as the entire fund raised in the event is donated to Belur Sramajibi Hospital that has been providing treatment to the impoverished at a nominal cost," said Ajay Kumar Roy, Director of IIEST, formerly known as Sibpur BE College.

"This year the drivers, conductors and helpers of all the buses in that route would be given free health cards by the hospital which would enable them to get medical check ups and diagnostic tests for a year," he noted.

About the title of the event, he said the route of the walk is significant to all the students of the century-old institute as most of them have used it during their days in college.

"The route 55 was the only route to go to BE college in Howrah from Esplanade. So it can be said that most of the students of our institution for the last 161 years have used this route. The event was planned by the alumni as a tribute to the route," he noted.

The organisers said, nearly 150 people including existing students and the alumni of IIEST from 15 Indian and international cities are expected to participate in the event and donate Rs 3,500, or approximately $55, each directly to the hospital.

Hailing the initiative, the hospital authority said the donation received by them is used in infrastructural development to provide better treatment to its patients.

"We use the donation for the development of our hospital. We are planning to open a blood bank next month. So all the donation of this walk event this year would be utilised in hat purpose," said Fanibhusan Bhattacharya, working president of the hospital.

--IANS

mgr/vd