'Spirit of India run' reaches Delhi

New Delhi: The Kanyakumari to Kashmir run, being undertaken by Australian ultra-marathon legend Pat Farmer, aimed at raising funds for education of Indian girls and strengthening ties between the two countries, reached the national capital on Sunday.

Farmer, a former member of Australian Parliament, entered Delhi through Badarpur-Delhi border around 9:30 am where he was welcomed by Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, Keshav Chandra, Secretary Delhi Tourism and Chairman of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) along with students from Delhi Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (DIHM) and Amity University.

"The 'Spirit of India Run' will not only help to project Delhi as a tourist destination in Australia but it will brand Delhi globally. We are very fortunate to have Mr Pat in Delhi," Delhi Tourism Minister said in a statement.

The statement issued by Delhi Tourism, said the 'Spirit of India Run' is aimed at cementing relations between India and Australia, encourage tourism and personal relationships with a view to creating 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.

The run flagged off in Kanyakumari on January 26 on the occasion of India's Republic Day and Australia Day and will end in Srinagar on March 30. Farmer has so far covered more than 3,000 km.

The 'Spirit of India Run' is being supported by India Tourism, Delhi and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India along with state governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Chandigarh.