This year, Bangalore city captured the global running fraternity’s attention as an incredible 25,000 individuals ran the 2014 edition of the Tata Consultancy Services World 10 K Bangalore.
Flagged off from Sree Kanteerava Stadium, on 18th of May 2014 a field of top class male and female athletes from India and abroad participated in the Elite Races and set 2 new course records in the process.
The Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore 2014 continues to remain one of the top charity generating events in South India, living up to the rich tradition set by one of the world’s leading distance running events.
The amount raised for charity through the 7th edition of the event has crossed the INR 4.04 crore mark, made possible through the commitment of Charity Partner Bangalore Cares and event promoters Procam International Pvt Ltd in providing optimum benefits for charity through the unique platform provided by the world’s premier 10K run.
Considering the event is still relatively young, the charity drive associated with the TCS World 10K Bangalore has always maintained a healthy upward growth. The seventh edition, featured an increase of around INR 33 lacs over last year, demonstrating the fact that the city has showcased its giving side in champion fashion. Distance running events the world over are significant charity raising platforms and the same has proved true for the four international running events promoted by Procam International Pvt Ltd in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
The amounts raised for charity through the run have increased from Rs 41.35 lacs in the first year, to over Rs 4.04 crores as per the latest figures received by Bangalore cares, for the 2014 edition of the race.
This was announced by Mr K Abhayachandra Hon’ble Minister for Sport Govt. of Karnataka, Dr G Parameswara, President Karnataka Athletic Association, and Nagaraj Ijari, Vice President and Global Head, Hi-Tech and Professional Services Business Segment, Tata Consultancy Services, alongwith Puneet Rajkumar, Face of the TCS World 10K, Banaglore at a special awards function held at the ITC Windsor Manor, Bengaluru, the Hospitality Partners, on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.
Host city Bangalore, which has a rich heritage of supporting causes of charity as well as philanthropy, set a high benchmark in the second year itself, with the Rs 1.31 crores raised in 2009, heralding a quantum leap of more than 300 per cent over the figure of Rs 41.35 lacs raised in 2008. The progress since then has been steady and encouraging, and the run has encouraged and supported a number of causes that affect society today, from Human Rights and Disability to Education and Healthcare.
“We are so pleased that more and more groups are getting involved in the social sector through this event. This year more NGOs realised the importance of the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore Run, to increase awareness of their work and to reach out to society. Funds raised through their direct efforts grew from Rs 22 Lakh last year to Rs 1.27 Crore this year. And more companies participated… 34 last year with 42 teams; this year 42 companies with 54 teams. They donated over a crore, for the first time, to various causes. This year a new initiative was taken to make public an ‘Impact Report’ – online, to showcase the considerable impact being made by the funds raised in 2013 through this platform. We are confident that this Impact Report really has helped build the confidence of everyone to participate and donate through the Run. Another first this year was committed involvement by teenagers, raising funds and running for a cause! We also had a special race CEOs of companies contributing to a cause!
All sections of society are becoming involved… ‘Thank you’ to each and every donor, partner and the government agencies for supporting the Social Sector through the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore 2014,” said Murray Culshaw.
“We are indeed proud that the TCS World 10K continues to herald a spectacular running revolution spreading the message of health and wellness among Bangalore’s citizens and the community. With this, it is also proving to be a significant platform to help improve the lives of hundreds of individuals through the funds it raises,” said Vivek B. Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International Pvt Ltd, the promoters of the event.
‘Face of the event’ Puneet Rajkumar said, “As a proud Bangalorean, I am thrilled to see how the citizens of the city make the run a success year after year either by contributing to causes the run supports, by participating in it as runners and volunteers or just as well wishers. The TCS World 10K has become an intrinsic part of the lives of people here and I am delighted to be a part of it.”
Sha Nigar was the top pledge raiser among Care Champion women, collecting Rs 9.16 lacs, in support of The Association of People with Disability while G Manohar Row, emerged the highest pledge raiser among men for Karunashraya – Bangalore Hospice Trust from the Care Champions, raising Rs 6.64 lacs. 14-year-old Nimit Bataviya emerged as the youngest fundraiser, raising Rs 1.43 lac for Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care. Another youngest kid Trishank Batavia, raised Rs. 48,7003.
Like last year, KPMG led the way among corporate houses, raising Rs 12,50,000 compared to Rs 7.25 lacs last year, to emerge the highest pledge raising company. UTC Aerospace System & UTC Otis followed by raising Rs 11, 25,000. The Corporate Cares category is specially designed for companies who wish to sponsor employee teams to participate in the run and raise funds for charity. This year, 54 teams from 42 companies together raised Rs 1,02,62,800 benefitting 27 charities.
Among the NGOs it was Reaching Hand, yet again, with Rs 45.2 lacs, followed by ProVision Asia at Rs 44.23 lacs, and Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Trust at Rs 27.95 lacs.
Individual fund raisers have been the largest contributors to capital generated by the voluntary sector through the TCS World 10K Bangalore. This edition has been especially encouraging with 8491 donors showing faith in the organization and cause they chose to support.
Suresh Joel is the highest fund raising iCare runner, raising Rs 4, 27, 091. Emal Ketan, who completed the 10K barefoot in below 86 minutes, raised Rs 2, 71, 960 for Sambhav Foundation and is the second highest fund raiser amongst iCare runners.
With Eleven editions of the Mumbai Marathon, Nine editions of the Delhi Half Marathon, Seven editions of the World 10K Bangalore and one edition of the Hyderabad 10K Run conducted successfully, distance running has become a revolution across the length and breadth of the country. It’s been a momentous seven-year journey for the TCS World 10K Bangalore since its inception in 2008, and each year, the run continues to transform the way India looks at 10K runs both from a health & fitness, and charity point of view. While the people and city give the event their best, the run returns every bit of noble and selfless effort, giving back good health, wellness and life.
About Bangalore cares
Bangalore Cares is a registered trust that has grown as a friend who believes in, supports, encourages and promotes the NGO community. The focus is on two aspects – encouraging individuals to support NGOs and their cause through donations; and to encourage NGOs to enhance their accountability to society. While our focus has been on Karnataka, we have plans to grow nationally
For more information about Bangalore cares, please visit www.bangalorecares.in.
About Procam International Pvt Ltd
In 1988, with a vision to provide a more holistic spend to the advertising rupee and a burning desire to ameliorate the prevailing professional standards for sportsmen, Anil and Vivek Singh created Procam International Pvt Ltd.
At a time when sports was considered the private domain of federations, who ran it as their personal fiefdoms, two people dared to dream large dreams and stand up for what they believed in.
Procam International Pvt Ltd is today a full-fledged sports management company, involved in the promotion of national and international sporting events, sports consultancy and live television programming.
Procam International Pvt Ltd has based its corporate philosophy on an open culture, with an emphasis on values and integrity. Procam International Pvt Ltd has promoted and conducted over 50 world events, which have elicited player participation of the highest caliber, as well as huge public interest.
The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and the TCS World 10K in Bangalore are three of the most prestigious distance running events in the world. They are certified by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) and supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
This has established Procam International Pvt Ltd as the leading sports events creator in India. Its professionalism, attention to detail and dedication has won it the faith of its sponsors, partners, the Government and society at large.
