A unique run, which focuses on community empowerment and preservation of culture and nature, is bringing a spring in the step of nondescript Jhaldhaka, situated along the India-Bhutan border some 112km from the district headquarters of Kalimpong.
The second edition of the 10km Freedom Run, organised by Kalimpong police in collaboration with Neora Valley Sustainable Ecological Society, NGOs TIEEDI and Muhaan and supported by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, attracted nearly 500 participants from across north Bengal and Sikkim on Sunday.
Tourism is taking its baby steps in this picturesque but largely untouched region which provides a stunning and panoramic view of the Bhutan hills and the fast-flowing Jhaldhaka river.
The run is now serving as a powerful platform for community engagement.
“Because of this event, the dozen-odd homestays in the area were all packed despite this being off-season. In fact, many residents had to open their homes to accommodate the runners who came from outside,” said Suren Rai, a local resident.
The run is also a part of the “silent revolution” started by Kalimpong Police against drugs and pollution.
“To deal with the menace of drug abuse, especially among the youth, we are focusing on demand reduction apart from working on monitoring the supply side by arresting peddlers and seizing the contraband items. Such events such as the Freedom Run are meant to lure the youth away from a life of drugs and bad health choices into fitness, loving their bodies and challenging themselves in a healthy way,” said Aparajita Rai, the Kalimpong superintendent of police.
About a year back, Kalimpong police started Shuddhi, a project to rehabilitate substance dependents from among the underprivileged families who could not afford the cost of rehabilitation centres to detoxify themselves.
“More than 68 persons of underprivileged families were sent to proper rehabilitation centres free of cost and we want to follow them to a drug-free and crime-free life. Many are even celebrating their first sober birthdays this year,” said the Kalimpong district police chief.
Public engagement by the police has ensured that people are now helping the police identify peddlers and users.
The Freedom Run is also promoting culture. Runners were free to wear traditional clothes in the 10km run that started from and ended near the Jhaldhaka High School.
This marathon is also a zero-waste run, which means that there is no non-biodegradable waste such as plastic generated from this event.
Even the winners’ medals are carved out of wood to boost the local economy.
“It was lovely to see many participants running in traditional dress. Such events promote local tourism and economy, and encourage youth to take up the sport. I saw a lot of involvement from the community,” said Roshni Rai, a marathon runner who has participated in many international runs right from South Africa to China, on Sunday's event in Kalimpong.