Panjim: In the early morning today, bikers of the #Ride4Soil campaign and 15 members of the Xaxti Rider's Club met Shri Gaurav S. Gaounkar, Joint Mamlatdar, at his South Goa Collector Office in Margaon. Shri. Gaounkar, who acknowledged the contributions of both the foundations on working to protect the environment, welcomed the bikers saying, "It's very nice to see you all here, because despite of heavy rains your enthusiasm is no less. I welcome you here in the collectorate, and I extend my support and best wishes to your future endeavours."
In collaboration with the Save Soil Movement volunteers, the club also organised a rally around the city to promote the message of the global movement. Despite the heavy rains the group rode around Margaon for awareness about the depletion of soil.
Later in the morning, the #Ride4Soil bikers visited St. Joseph Institute in Vasco, founded by Chowgule Industries Pvt Ltd. Head Mistress Ms. Maria Cardozo welcomed the bikers and acknowledged the need to save soil. Students presented their artworks, drawings and performed a skit that captured the essence of the movement encouraging participation from everyone to protect mother earth.
On behalf of South Goa MLA Shri Daji Salkar, his wife and City Councilor, Smt. Shami Salkar also addressed the gathering. She said, "The soil is slowly losing its healing properties and fruits and vegetables are losing their nutritional value which it once had. Let us all commit ourselves to do our best and reduce waste and give back to the soil what it needs, to revitalize the soil." Around 150 students participated in the event along with the faculty members.
Lead biker Pavan Choudhary, who rode from Pune along with other riders, encouraged the school children to continue spreading the message of Save Soil Movement.
In the afternoon, the Biker's group arrived in Verna and visited the Padre Conceicao College of Engineering established by the Agnel Ashram Fathers. Students of 3rd year Mechanical Engineering addressed the gathering in an event conducted by the students themselves.
Chief guest Shri Abhinav Apte, Director of Track Change, spoke about the need for bio-composting and how the Save Soil Movement is the need of the hour. A group of 20 students performed a jig on the Save Soil theme.
Since on 24th June, thousands of bikers around the country are riding in a 2 week long #Ride4Soil campaign to spread the message of the Save Soil movement. As a part of this, bike riders from Pune started on 2 July and visited cities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
During the 5 days campaign the riders have covered Pune, Shirwal, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Nipani, Belgaum, Sanquelim, Surla, Ponda, Margao, Verna, Vasco concluding in Panjim and educated the general public through awareness drives and local events.
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