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Walkathon through Chandor, Guirdolim

Walking 2As Diwali was celebrated world over  on November 12, 2023, Ganv Bhavancho Ekvott held a Walkathon through the twin villages of Chandor-Guirdolim to mark this festival of lights so that people may be enlightened to fight communal vitriol that is disturbing peace in the country.

The 89 participants walked 6.5 kms in 77 minutes as they walked through the twin villages under the theme “For communal harmony, peacre and harmony”.The participants left at 4:22 pm and the last batch returned at 5:39 pm though some youngsters who ran were the first to reach at 5:30 pm.

The participants were aged from the youngest being 6 years to the senior most who completed the Walkathon at the age of 73 and a half years. Both nanely Rylan Abner and Basil Fernandes were given spot prizes at a small function held at the end of the event.

The Walkathon started from the Chandor Church compound at 4:22 pm and returned to the same spot after walking through Culsabha, Mena, Covatem, New Township where they stopped at the Sunni Jamia Masjid. From there they walked to Colosso in Guirdolim to the old railway station and after going through the underpass, they walked to the Mahalaxmi Temple at Pocklemol.

From there they cut through Molla and after walking through a dirt track emerged near the Jitlem spring and from they returned to the Church square.

Two washrooms and water drinking spots were set up; one near the Sunni Jamia Masjid and the other near Poppy Bar at Guirdolim. Incidentally, all the signboards erected for the Walkathon were removed early the next day in keeping with GBE’s commitment to cleanliness.

At the valedictory function held after the walkers were served some snacks and refreshments, GBE President John Fernandes explained why the programme was held and asked the participants specially the youngsters not to litter and cultivate the habit of using dustbins to discard whatever needed to be thrown away,

Spot prizes were awarded to Raviteja, Crystal and Vaugham who were found seated on the lucky chairs that had a sticker pasted under the seat.

Other prizes given were for the first person to register which was bagged by Chandor-Cavorim Deputy Sarpanch Nancy Mendes e Antao. Eliya Thota who was celebrating his birthday was given a prize for participating in the walkathon as a special token of appreciation.

Britney Mascarenhas won the prize kept for the lucky cap while Angeline Costa was rewarded for being the first to correctly give the name of the masjid visited and Abner Fijardo won the prize for correctly naming the temple that was visited. In a true display of innocence of the children, young Abner confessed that he was told the name of the temple by a lady who was present there.

The project managers for this great event were Francis alias Hanchik Peixote, Damacian Mascarenhas and Fiel alias Babzinho who is also a member of the Chandor Cavorim Village Panchayat.

Maria Menezes and Derrick Braganza Pereira both panchas of Chandor Cavorim Panchayat and Sarpanch Sonia Fernandes. Deputy Sarpanch Joao Peixoteo and member Donaldo Peixote of Guirdolim panchayat also walked the whole trek.

Similarly Fr. Siran Rebello and Fr Ankit D’Souza along with 11 of the 12 brothers at the Pallotti Jyoti Niwas at Guirdolim which is a Novitiate for priesthood also walked the whole trek and in fact both the priests were amongst the first to return as they had to rush to their home where some guests were waiting for them.

Incidentally, all participants were provided with a white T-Shirt and a black cap to protect them from the heat as it the Walkathon was in the afternoon.

Dr. Vynen Sequeira hailing from Igorjebnat, who who is doing is internship and monitored the whole even and was ready to provide medical assistance in case of any untoward incident, was appreciated for his help with a memento.