Multi-category run

See From the Heart run held in Mumbai for the visually impaired people;

Multi-category run was flagged off by Milind Soman and Divyanshu Ganatra

Mumbai,December 25, 2014:United Sisters’ Foundation and Adventures Beyond Barriers successfully organised the See From The Heart Run in Mumbai today for the visually impaired people to embrace and celebrate the differences. 75 visually impaired girls & boys ran across 3 km, 5 km, 10 km and 21 km distances ably supported by the sighted runners along the Worli Seaface. The multi-category run was flagged off by super model, actor and avid barefeet runner Milind Soman who is wholeheartedly driving this initiative alongwith Divyanshu Ganatra of Adventures Beyond Barriers. See from the Heart event was organised by Maximus Events.

While flagging off the run, Milind Soman said, “See From The Heart is an effort to create an opportunity for more visually impaired people to join and interact with the mainstream community using running as a medium. It will be organised in multiple cities across India, in association with National Association for the Blind and Adventures Beyond Barriers. It will hopefully foster a greater understanding and empathy between two world's and perhaps give sighted runners more than a glimpse into lives they can only imagine. United Sisters’ Foundation is a proud partner of this noble cause. We would like to take this message nationally.”

Divyanshu Ganatra expressed his delight on the overwhelming response from the running community. He said, “This is a dream for the visually impaired people and they have the determination and enthusiasm to see it come true. All they need is someone who cares to hold their hand. They need encouragement, empathy and support. They need understanding and not sympathy. We would like more and more people to come forward and participate in this initiative.”  

K. Ramkrishna, Honorary Secretary General, National Association for the Blind felicitated all the winners and said that, “It was indeed a proud for us to see the enthusiastic participation of all the visually impaired people. We are grateful to the sighted runners who volunteered today and took great care of the blind runners. We would like to promote this initiative at a national level. I would like to urge Milind Soman & Divyanshu Ganatra to organise a national marathon for the blind across cities and the finals of the same to be conducted in Mumbai.”

All participants were given special medals in braille with the words inscribed on it ‘I run I inspire’ alongwith certificates. The event concluded with all the participants and volunteers taking a pledge to live their lives beautifully inspite of the hurdles, obstacles and problems. Each one will strive to find solutions and make this world a more beautiful place to live in.