Marathon is the means to create my own identity: Michelle Kakade
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Michelle Kakade is 46 years old and was born in Bhopal. She is known as Queen of Endurance & the brand ambassador of Ladies Circle India. She began running on October 21 from Mumbai with a goal to cover 6010 km, covering 57 major cities on the Golden Quadrilateral (the NH connecting Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore & Kolkata). She is the only woman to have run 256 kms in the Sahara Desert. She has placed herself in Limca Book of Records 3 times as – Highest number of Desert Races by an Indian, Longest Treadmill Run by Indian – 171Km in 25Hrs, and the First Indian in the 4 Desert Club on completion of the rigourous Four Desert foot races. While en-route to Bhubaneswar, we had the opportunity to have a tete-a-tete with this exemplary runner. She addressed school children at SOS Village and shared her experiences on the desert marathons and her mission on 9th February 2016, which was organised by Bhubaneswar Queens Ladies Circle 130. Excerpts of her interview with Sandeep Pattnaik and Brahmipriya Samantray is produced below.
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Q.1. what message you want to spread among the youths by such a marathon?
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A. One should create a unique identity in his / her lifespan. Building confidence is the key to success. At this matured age of 46, I want to create my identity and spread a message to the world, especially women that, women are no longer weaker than men. Women empowerment is my message through this marathon.
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Q.2. Don’t you think, women empowerment in a Country like India is still a dream, when they are suffering from social insecurity?
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A. In India, inequality between men and women is there. Basically issues concerning women in rural belts of the Country have not been addressed properly. Regarding safety of women, there needs to be a change in mindset of people, and blaming the Government is not a solution as far as atrocities on women is concerned. Grassroot education is also vital to change people’s mindset.
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Q.3. What are the means of women empowerment according to you?
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A. The most vital aspect is that, an woman should be ‘financially independent’ to be empowered.
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Q.4. What is your next priority if you were been able to find a place in Guinness Book of World Records?
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A. It is a six month project for me to cover the whole 6010 kms of distance. Let my project be completed successfully, then I will think about my next venture.
