Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS/CN)
With Inputs from Media Release
 
Mangalore, Aug 9: 'Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Express 2011', a unique adventure on auto rickshaws with participants from across the globe, reached the city on Tuesday August 9. A formal function was held at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Government School, Mallikatte to mark the occasion.

Dharmaiah, deputy commissioner of police-crime, Mangalore, was the chief guest. Lester D’Souza, chairman, Mangalore Round Table-115 (MRT-115), Vinod Pinto, immediate past chairman, MRT-115, Devdas Menezes, Dane D’Souza, Aajeeth Kumar, Mirelle Saldanha, chairperson, Mangalore Ladies Circle – 82, Luvlyn D’Souza, Melita Menezes, and Aravind  Bramanandam, organizer and CEO of Chennai Event Management Services, were present on the occasion.

The chief guest and participants inspected the classroom furniture and toilets that were constructed with funds sent by participants of past Mumbai Xpress Challenges. The teams also presented the school with stationery and sports equipment worth Rs 2,000 each.

In the past, funds sent by Mumbai Xpress teams have been utilized for construction of class rooms in Moodshedde Government School, supply of stationery and uniforms at St Joseph Primary School, Nanthoor, and Mallikatte Government School.
 
The 31 racers from UK, Chile, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, who are participating in this event have covered 1,176 km so far and will travel 743 km in the next five days to reach Chennai.

About Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011

The 2000 km Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011 is an adventure Rally/ Challenge done using Auto-rickshaws. The Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011 adventure rally/ challenge will run for 14 days from Mumbai to Chennai (July 30 to August 12), taking its teams of 31 international rickshaw racers on an exhilarating journey across the length and breadth of the country.

The aspiring adventurers come from countries as far as UK, Chile, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada etc, looking for an experience of a lifetime. And this is exactly what the Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011 provides. This time, the challenge is even greater as there are no officially supplied maps or equipment to help navigate the journey. The stakes are also higher- the grand prize is a free entry for two participants into the Caucasian Challenge, a 6000 km race across 11 countries in Europe. In order to win the Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011, the participants will have to rely on the locals at each destination to guide them along. Clearly it is all about human power this time. 

During the Rickshaw Challenge-Mumbai Xpress 2011 participants will eagerly look forward to a number of mini- races and challenges on a daily basis through which the contestants will also get the opportunity to form a meaningful connection to the places they are visiting. They will not only enjoy the natural beauty of the rural countryside but also sample the local cuisine and culture. The first stop of the Rickshaw Challenge will be Alibaug, where they will arrive after the first exciting day of travel. 

Along the way, the participants of the Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011 will be making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged by raising funds for various projects of Round Table India. Social responsibility is very close to the heart of the Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011 and this year they are taking their commitment to society a step further by striving to reduce their carbon footprint and following environment friendly practices while on the move.

With so much to achieve and such little time, the participants of the Rickshaw Challenge - Mumbai Xpress 2011 have their work cut out for them. The stage is set for the grandest of all challenges- a unique opportunity to the lovers of adventure to push their boundaries harder and higher and to prove their mettle in the great outdoors.