Abu Dhabi
Hundreds of Indians and their friends from other communities in the capital will participate in an 8km-long “Happiness Walkathon” on Friday.
The Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) in Abu Dhabi is organising the walkathon in cooperation with ‘We Are All Police’, the community policing initiative of Abu Dhabi Police, said Joy Thoman John, honorary president of the ISC.
Abu Dhabi Police launched ‘We Are All Police’ to broaden its communication and engagement with the community. The initiative aims to enhance security and safety in the emirate by enabling members of the public to provide a positive presence in their neighbourhood. Thousands of community members from all backgrounds and nationalities have applied to become part of the initiative.
As part of the ISC golden jubilee celebrations, the walkathon is a tribute to the UAE Government’s innovative efforts to spearhead happiness and tolerance in the society, he said. “The UAE’s Ministries of Happiness and Tolerance are welcome initiatives and our walkathon is to show our solidarity with these noble gestures,” John explained.
“The event is to announce our support and appreciation for the UAE’s efforts to be among the top five happiest countries in the world by 2021 since adopting a new national happiness charter early last year,” he said.
The walkathon will start at 7am from Hilton Corniche in the city and end at the ISC building in Al Mina area.
The event is open to all and the ISC has requested friends from all other communities to join the walk. “We expect more than 1,000 people,” John said.
M.A Salam, honorary general secretary of the ISC, said the event aims to take the UAE Government’s efforts to be the happiest country to all communities in the capital.
Jayachandran Nair, the ISC’s honorary vice-president, said T-shirts and caps would be presented to all participants. Shuttle buses will be available from the ISC to the starting point. For those who directly reach the starting point, shuttle buses will be available from the ISC to take them to the car parking near the starting point after the event, he said.
Nair said more than 500 people have already registered for the walkathon. “We have sought support from prominent government, private and community organisations in the capital,” he said.
After the walkathon, breakfast will be served at the ISC premises for the participants. “They will also have a chance to win 10 tickets of Abu Dhabi Big Ticket and entry tickets to a live show of K.K, a Bollywood playback singer, to be held at the ISC on December 8,” Nair said.
