Cyclothon to drive fundraising for Kerala flood relief

Kannur: Kannur collector Mir Mohammed Ali and 75 others rode their cycles from Karivellur to New Mahe, covering 70 km on Sunday.

They had one mission – to create awareness about donating one month's salary to the chief minister's disaster relief fund (CMDRF). They were joined by three ministers and two MPs, said the collector. In the coming week, two ministers will camp in the district and lead the fundraising and awareness drive.

The district had already promoted the campaign to donate a month's salary to the CMDRF, by posting pictures of the government officials and elected representatives on social media, as an inspiration to the public.

The district collector, district police chief, ADM, divisional forest officer, sub collector, assistant collector, deputy collectors, district panchayat members, gram panchayat presidents, and 50 others had come forward to contribute their one month's earning.

“From Monday, ministers, EP Jayarajan and K K Shylaja will be camping in the district to raise funds from various parts, for one week. The Cyclothon was organised to create awareness for the fundraising programme,” said the collector who is famous for spreading environment awareness in the district, by cycling to his office.

Members from Kannur cycling club, North Malabar Riders and defence service corps (DSC) also joined the cyclothon.

Kasargod district police chief A Srinivas, Thalassery ASP Chaitra Teresa John and assistant collector Arjun Pandya joined in. Revenue minister E Chandrasekharan flagged off the cyclothon.

Later, ports minister Ramachandran Kadannappally and KK Shylaja also joined. PK Sreemathy, MP, followed the cyclothon in her vehicle.