Children’s Day: Students run for voter awareness amid poor AQI in Patiala

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 14

The district Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) team organised a relay marathon for government school students to create voter awareness on the occasion of Children’s Day here today.

The marathon was held when the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Patiala was around 270, which falls under ‘poor’ category. Interestingly, the district Health Department had recently issued an advisory asking pregnant women, children under the age of 14 and elderly to avoid outdoor activities. The department has also advised athletes, who have to do intensive exercises, to avoid outdoor workouts.

When asked about holding a run amid poor air quality, Gurbakshish Singh, district nodal officer, SVEEP, said, “Each student ran only a few meters as it was a relay marathon. Moreover, the intensity of run was very low. A team of officials was accompanying the students to provide medical help in case of need. No student complained of any problem during and after the run.”

Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Gurpreet Singh Thind flagged off the rally from Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Tripuri.

Addressing the students before the flagging-off, Thind asked them to take interest in the election process of the Indian democracy, the largest in the world, and give a message to all elders to cast their votes.

Around 500 students of different government schools participated in the relay marathon. They were divided into eight groups to run as many dashes.

The students holding placards and signboards gave messages to exercise their right to franchise.

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