Celebrities to run for a cause in Kolkata Half Marathon

Jan 24, 2013 IANS

Kolkata, Jan 24 (IANS) More than 20,000 participants from India and abroad, including celebrities, will go the distance in the Kolkata Half Marathon Feb 3 to educate the under-privileged girl child.

Organised jointly by Amity University and Dollar Industries Ltd., the 21-km stretch will witness celebrities like Nigel Akkara and Rahul Bose lead the way in the third edition of the Kolkata Half Marathon - The Royal Bengal Run.

Kicking off from the Mohammedan Sporting Club at 6 a.m. with enthusiasts from all walks of life, the half marathon aims to generate awareness and collect funds for supporting the under-privileged girl child under Amitasha, a project undertaken by the Amity Humanity Foundation.

"The money collected will go for the education of under-privileged girl children. In a situation where there is a lot of injustice, education is very important," said Akkara, a hardened criminal turned actor from Bengal.

According to Akkara, running for such a cause is worthwhile as 53 percent of girl children in the age group of 5 to 9 years are illiterate.

"This is my contribution to society. I am not participating to compete and win an award. Being the part of change that is happening is important," said the actor.