Hyderabad, March 4, 2018: Colors Pinkathon Hyderabad - inspiring partners Bajaj Electricals ltd. organised twonovel promo events;the Saree Run with The Global 100 Saree Pact Group at KBR Park Outer Ring road and a 5 Kms Fearless Midnight Run with MilindSoman at Charminar over the weekend in Hyderabad.
The Saree Run was intended at empowering and encouraging women to participate in the saree run by draping our rich and vibrant culture around them! Such a rocking and energetic Sunday morning with over 100 gorgeous women all dressed in beautiful sarees. The atmosphere was festive and lively.
Commenting on the Saree Run, Model and Founder of Pinkathon MilindSoman said, “We at #ColorsPinkathon strongly believe in inclusiveness of all and make sure that women can and should practice staying fit wearing whatever they are most comfortable in. The legacy and love of every Indian woman for sarees is undeniable.We want to change the mind-set of women. We want women to run in whatever they wear and the way they are dressed, be it sarees, salwar kameez or even the hijabs. Clothes should not become deterrent to women’s fitness. The idea is to inculcate the fitness habit in their comfort wear. This run emphasized the fact that a mere element such as dressing can stop no woman from striving towards fitness.”
The 5 kmsFEARLESS Midnight run was organised by United Sisters Foundation in association with SHE TEAMS and supported by COLORS Pinkathon Hyderabad 2018 – Inspiring partners Bajaj Electricals!!One of the most common concerns women across the globe have while stepping out to run or exercise is safety. Over 100 women participated in the fearless midnight run to prove their solidarity and showcase their ‘fearless’ nature by running together at midnight. This was their way of reclaiming their space and owning the roads. The run demonstrated passion for a healthy lifestyle, love for freedom and respect towards one’s body. Swati Lakhra, DCP, Hyderabad Police flagged off the run at the stroke of midnight.
In 1966, James Brown sang “It’s a man’s man’sman’s world”, and while the man was a lyrical genius, United Sisters Foundation presents the Fearless Run to remind the world that it is no longer 1966, and we are here to inspire change. The Fearless Run is a midnight run of 5kms and is here to make all public spaces equally accessible for everyone. The run is a symbol of reclamation, empowerment, and the start of a new movement. The purpose of the Fearless Run is twofold- to inspire a change of thought in every individual and the second to begin a cultural revolution.
Every woman who becomes a part of the Fearless Run, learns that all spaces are theirs to be claimed and it is time to forego the stereotype of a woman being confined to the indoors after dark. As long as appropriate precautions are taken on a personal level, there are no spaces that cannot be explored, no avenue that cannot be touched, and no one that can be stopped from exercising their free will.
With this step of the Fearless Run, we hope that this picture of women standing their ground permeates through society and this restriction of not being allowed to move freely after midnight is quashed.FEARLESS is an endeavour to get women to make a strong statement about their right to reclaim spaces.FEARLESS is not a protest, it is a statement of fact, a call to solidarity. Women will run, walk and celebrate themselves and reclaim the night in a strong statement of affirmation of who they are, and what they must do, to feel safe and secure.FEARLESS is the platform we have created for them to exercise this choice.
At the flag-off, Pinkathon Mentor MilindSoman highlighted the importance of being careful while being fearless and reaching out to support groups like the police, where required. He further said “We have organised the Fearless Midnight 5 kms run for the first time in Hyderabad. I am delighted with the overwhelming response from women and the support from Hyderabad Police. Over 150 police were deployed to provide security and to ensure that the girls could run fearlessly. Ever since we have introduced this novel run for women, it has become the main highlight of Pinkathon. For too long women everywhere have been asked to conform to society’s narrow views of dos and don’ts, behaviour, dress and timing. Any woman seen out after a particular time is immediately judged and stereotyped. Sometimes they are punished. This happens in every village, every town, and every city. Women have an equal right to be where ever they want, at whatever time they choose to and however, they may choose to dress. FEARLESS is an endeavour to get women to make a strong statement about their right to reclaim spaces. Every woman who believes in herself, should celebrate that belief. FEARLESS is not a protest, it is a statement of fact, a call to solidarity. Women run, walk and celebrate themselves and reclaim the night in a strong statement of affirmation of who they are, and what they must do, to feel safe and secure. FEARLESS is the platform we have created for them to exercise this choice. It is important to be fearless but not careless. It doesn't matter whether you are running or walking during the day or night, what you are wearing, whether you are in India or abroad. Stay alert, be smart and don't let fear be a deterrent.”
Swati Lakhra, DCP, Hyderabad said “We would like to support all such initiatives which are positive and helps portray that Hyderabad is a safe city. All of us; the citizens and police should come together to create a safe and secure environment for our women. We need to change the pre-conceived notions and mindset. Women are strong personalities and nothing should stop them from being where they want to be, wearing what they wish to wear and saying what needs to be said. It’s time for them to reclaim what is rightfully theirs; home and roads.”
RUN FEARLESSand OWN THE ROAD! INSPIRE. EMPOWER. CHANGE.
Pinkathon - Empowering Indian Women
India's biggest women's runto encourage and promote fitness & health among women and create awareness for Breast Cancer, Bone health, Thyroid disorder and other issues relating to women’s health. The Fourth Edition of COLORS Pinkathon Hyderabad 2018 – Inspiring Partners Bajaj Electricals, India’s biggest women’s run to be held on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad. Online registrations for the multi-category run are openat www.pinkathon.in/hyderabad for the VWash Plus 3km, 5km & 10km run and for the 21km distance drop a mail on [email protected].
