Running half-marathon to file nomination, with the message to reduce vehicular pollution

EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 14, 2023 : Retired army man and enthusiastic marathon runner Sharan Subba ran 21kms on Wednesday from Sonada to Sukhia-Pokhri Block office to file his nominations for the panchayat polls.
Subba, 36, a resident of Sonada said his decision to participate in the panchayat election process and file his nomination by running to the block office was to spread awareness about decongesing the traffic, eradicating pollution created by vehicles and making the administration aware of  the need for good roads in the rural areas.

“I am from DB road below Sonada and the situation there is such that when a medical emergency arises there is a need for a stretcher to carry patients due to the bad road condition,” Subba said. 

“It is not only my village but in other nearby places that also requires the need of stretchers. I want good roads in all the different villages and by running I wanted to give the message that roads be made in all the villages. In the day time it might be possible to carry a patient in a stretcher but what about during the night-time,” asked Subba.

The panchayat election is being held in the hills after two decades. The last election to that of gram panchayat was held in 2000. 

Subba said he started around four in the morning from his village and covered the distance to the Sukhia-Pokhri block office in about four hours. 

"I was early. The panchayat office was not even open when I arrived. I had to wait before filing my nomination papers," he said.

Subba filed his nominations as an independent candidate for the Panchayat Samity of Lower Sonada GP I. 

“People use vehicles and two-wheelers even to travel short distances when they could have easily walked there. Due to this a lot of traffic jams are being seen nowadays along with the increase in the pollution level. If  we avoid travelling to short distances in vehicles then not only will it decrease pollution and traffic jams but also one’s health will improve. This is also what I wanted to make the people aware of  byrunning,” said Subba who added that by filing as an independent candidate he wanted to inspire more youths  to  delve  into  politics.  

Subba  is  an  ex-serviceman who runs a physical training academy at Sonada for those interested in joining the army, free of cost. He gives them tips on how to prepare physically for joining the army. He is also a marathon runner