71-year-old to run extra mile to rebuild Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 71-year-old mathematics professor will run a half marathon (21km) for 30 days starting from Wednesday, to exhort the Malayali diaspora to donate liberally to rebuild the state in the aftermath of the deluge.

The initiative by George R Thomas, who divides his academic life between USA and China, will be flagged off by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at his official residence here.

The campaign will conclude at Karnataka border in Kasaragod on December 6.

"The objective behind my solo run across the length of the state is to remind expatriates to contribute to the rebuilding process. We need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder during these difficult times," he said.

Thomas has also decided to donate 20 cents of prime land at Kadampanad, Pathanamthitta, for a library, anganwadi, children's play area and car parking facility. He will bear the entire cost of the marathon.

During his half marathon, the septuagenarian will also lead sessions for students in various schools and colleges.

Lauding the initiative, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said, "I hope that it will strike the right chord among Malayali expatriates and they will join the massive efforts of the state government to rebuild Kerala," he said.

Tourism director P Bala Kiran said that the purpose of Thomas' run is to help affirm the solidarity of NRKs for repairing the colossal damages caused by the floods.

"Such an inspiring gesture will encourage Malayali expatriates to make donations to the CMDRF," he added.

Earlier in 2008, Thomas had run from Kanyakumari to Sree Mookambika Temple at Kollur in Karnataka, to create awareness about the pernicious impact of the burning of plastic waste.