Karkala witnessed a large‑scale walkathon on 29 September as part of World Heart Day, organised by Dr. T.M.A. Pai Rotary Hospital together with Rotary Club Karkala Rocksiti, Rotaract Club Shri Bhuvanendra College and Rotaract Club Government Polytechnic. More than 500 residents, students, medical staff and club members marched from Ananthashayan circle to the hospital premises, spreading messages on heart‑healthy living.
The procession began under the baton of legislator V. Sunil Kumar, who officially launched the event. Participants included school and college pupils, lecturers, doctors, nurses and representatives of various community organisations, all moving along the Taluk Panchayat road toward the hospital’s auditorium.
A street‑theatre performance on cardiovascular health added a lively touch, drawing attention from onlookers. After the walk, senior cardiologist Dr. Karthik Rao addressed the gathering in the hospital’s conference hall, emphasizing control of blood sugar, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, stress management and adequate sleep as essential steps to prevent heart disease. He reiterated the slogan “Our health, our responsibility.”
Rotary Assistant Governor P.H.F. Rotarian Suresh Naik highlighted that the walkathon aimed not only to raise awareness but also to encourage the adoption of a wholesome lifestyle among the public. Several competitions were held alongside the main event, with winners receiving prizes.
Creative PU College secured the highest overall participation and topped the slogan‑making contest, while M.P.M. College won first place in the plaque‑making competition. Government Polytechnic earned the top spot in the disciplined‑team category, and Government Nursing College triumphed in the street‑theatre segment.
Key officials present included Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Medical Officer of Dr. T.M.A. Pai Rotary Hospital; Rotarian Manjunath Hegde, President of Rotary Club Karkala Rocksiti; and Rotaract presidents Sujan and Srinivas Bhat. The day’s activities reinforced the importance of heart health and a proactive approach to well‑being among the coastal Karnataka community.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi