January30, 2016 … The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India along with State Tourism departments of the States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Chandigarh are supporting ‘Spirit of India Run’ by Pat Farmer, an ultra Marathon Runner from Australia. Farmer will run over 4000 km in 60 days starting from Kanyakumari and finishing in Kashmir. He launched his run on January 26 celebrating India’s Republic Day and Australia Day.
A meeting was called in the Directorate of Tourism Chaired by its Director Shri Sanjeev Gauns Dessai to chalk out the modalities of the organization, management dn coordination the “Spirit of India Run” by Mr. Farmer and his team who will reach Goa on February 8, 2016. And will proceed from Margao to Velagar (Maharsahtra) on February 9, 2015.
The meeting was attended by Regional Director of India Tourism Regional Director (Western & Central Region) Shri Vikas Rustagi, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri V. M. Prabhudessai, Addl. Collector (Ponda) Shri Damodar Morajkar, Health Officer, Urban health Centre , Panaji Dr.Pritam Naik, Information Officer Shri John Aguiar, SDPO Ponda Shri Serafin Diaas, SDPO Panaji, Smt. Sunita Sawant and others.
Mr. Farmer is a multiple world record holder for endurance running and has run from the North Pole to the South Pole and across Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the Middle East and North America. He has served as a Member of Australia’s Parliament, with 3 years as Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training.
Mr. Farmer’s ‘Spirit of India Run’ is aimed at cementing relations between India and Australia; encourage tourism and personal relationships with a view to create awareness of India as a ‘Must Experience’ destination for travellers from Australia; and support causes and charity which in the current endeavour is to raise funds for education of girl child.
Mr. Pat Farmer commenced his run from Kanyakumari on January 26, 2015 and conclude at Srinagar on March 31, 2016. He is accompanied by a television crew which would cover the entire run and prepare a documentary that would be screened multiple times on Australia’s TV Network.
Mr. Pat Farmer will run on an average 70-80 Km., daily through the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir and cover a distance of 4600 km.
