Global warming is a hot topic that has the entire planet disturbed. Save climate, Save water, Conserve energy — these slogans are being screamed out aloud by concerned citizens and groups time and again. One little voice from Bangalore has now set out to do his bit to save planet Earth. Bangalore-based model Samim Rizvi is running from Bangalore to Mumbai to create awareness about this problem.
Trained by Prasad Bidapa, Samim has given 19 years to the fashion industry appearing in over 19 television commercials, many print ads ramp walking for over 500 shows.
This non-professional runner has decided to cover a total distance of 1100 kilometre in 22 days. The run begins on the morning of September 7 from Vidhana Soudha. Samim will take the national highway and pass through cities like Tumkur, Chitradurga, Hubli, Belgaum, Karad, Kolhapur, Satara and Pune. Talking about this decision, Samim explains, “Global warming is a new issue for people. But it has been bothering me for the last 20 years. My parents asked me to get used to it. But I don’t want to get used to the layers of toxic substances choking me up.”
Why Mumbai? “I used to drive twice a month to the city, which consumed a lot of fuel. This is payback time!” chuckles Samim, who is a computer science graduate and has done a diploma course in perfumery sciences from Grasse, France.
Samim will run alone and cover a distance of 50 kilometres everyday. He will visit all the schools on the national highway, spreading the message, distributing pamphlets on how to conserve energy and giving petitions (which he will collect on his way back from Mumbai). This event has been tied up with Greenpeace, which is promoting ‘Ban the Bulb’ campaign. And Samim will be propagating this campaign throughout his journey. He will be accompanied by a caravan, provide him with facilities of a rest room and a sleeping area.
On reaching the Gateway of India in Mumbai, Samim will be a part of a marathon organised in the city for the same cause. Soon after which, he will cycle back from Mumbai to Bangalore along with cyclist friend Vibhor.
About preparations he says, “I am training under an American marathon guide, David Stiles. He is teaching me strength conditioning exercises to make my legs strong. He has asked me to keep my body weight up right now because I will be losing half a kilogram everyday during my run, so no particular diet for now. I also cycle a lot these days — either for 100 kilometres daily within the City or to Mysore,” says Samim, who gave up using motorised vehicles long ago. He also has plans on educating people across India about making those small changes in their lifestyles to conserve energy.
After NGOs, media industry and top celebrities walking the Oscar red carpet, fashion fraternity too seems to be chipping in for the global cause. Kudos!
