Akshay makes Lucknowites run for a cause

The celebrations for the International Women’s Day started with a bang in Lucknow when 'Khiladi' actor Akshay Kumar flagged off a

marathon

to create awareness about menstrual hygiene and to do away with taboos surrounding it. The event, organized by a private organisation at Sahara Shehar, saw Lucknowites gather in large numbers from early morning to watch Akshay and also participate in the run. The five kms run started from Sahara Shehar covering various landmarks of the city including 1090 crossing.

Akshay Kumar and Subrata Roy (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)
The morning kick-started with some warm-up sessions for the participants followed by a Zumba session where city folk were seen working out on some peppy tracks like 'Aisi Dhaakadh Hai', 'Level Up', 'Magenta Rhythm' and more.

(L) Ashok and Kumkum Roy Choudhary (R) Fatima (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)
Then came the much awaited moment when 'PadMan' actor Akshay Kumar stepped on stage and addressed the people of Lucknow. Talking about the initiative, the actor said, "This initiative is not just for women but for all men who are here. I would like to request all of you that please spread the message of menstrual hygiene as far as possible so that no lady is deprived of a

sanitary napkin

in any part of the country. Talking about periods or

menstruation

is not a taboo anymore. We as a society are changing and evolving, and we should. And I feel great that my movies played a part in espousing this cause."

(L) Hersh Mehta (C) Jyoti (R) Kunal (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)
Eager fans were spotted clicking pictures and recording videos of their favourite star while some were seen shouting and screaming, 'I love you Akki', 'Akshay Marry Me'.
Finally the marathon was flagged off by Akshay Kumar, Subrata Roy and singer

Malini Awasthi

amid loud cheering and applauds from the audience. Followed by the marathon was a bike rally where 12 women bikers rode bikes with Akshay leading the procession, to spread the message of women empowerment. Later the bikers were felicitated by the actor.

(L) Neha and Swadha (R) Malini Awasthi (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)
The second phase of the event took the audience on a joyous and musical journey when 'Chogada' singer Darshan Rawal gave a live performance. He sang some of his famous songs like 'Teri Galliyan', 'Kabhi Jo Badal Barse', 'Hawayein' and 'Tu Jaane Na' among others.

(L) Rohit (R) Samina (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)
Fatima Khatoon, a victim of domestic violence, shared her story on stage, and said, "I was nine years old when I was forcefully marred a 35-year-old man. There was not a single day when I was not brutally beaten and later locked inside a dark room without food and water. When I was merely 12 years old, I was pregnant not knowing what motherhood exactly means. Then somehow I manage to escape my husband’s home never to return. Since then I am working for child rights taaki jo mere saath hua woh kisi aur ke saath kabhi na ho."

(L) Trisha and Pukhraj Neogi (R) Zimsha (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)
The story of Fatima left everyone teary-eyed in the auditorium. In the end, a special activity was conducted by Akshay Kumar in which a packet of sanitary napkins was placed under the seats of each one present in the auditorium. The audience had to click a selfie with the packet and tag their friends on various social media platforms to spread the message of menstrual hygiene.
— Prachi Arya and Saad Abbasi