Over 1,500 individuals gathered at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on Sunday for the 12th edition of Messengers on Cycles, a yearly cyclothon and walkathon event organized by Sense International India to mark the end of Deafblind Awareness Week.

Participants, including cyclists, walkers, school kids, corporate personnel, volunteers, families, and people with deafblindness, took part in the event, whose objective was to create awareness about the day-to-day difficulties that people who suffer from both vision and hearing impairment face.

The event commenced at 6:30 a.m. and had activities such as a 15 km cyclothon for adults, a 5 km cycling competition for children, a 3 km tricycle ride, and a 5 km walkathon. Individuals of different age groups participated in the events.

One of the key highlights of the event was the Deafblind Experience Zone, where the participants tried performing some basic tasks without the aid of sight and hearing.

The programme also included fitness sessions, games, and other community activities before concluding with medal distribution.

Biju Mathew, Chief Operating Officer of Sense International India, said the event was organised to encourage wider public participation in discussions around disability inclusion and accessibility.

Chief Executive Officer Uttam Kumar said the initiative has expanded steadily since it was first organised 12 years ago. What started as a local awareness campaign now attracts schools, corporate groups, volunteers, and families from across the city, he said.

The event was held during Deafblind Awareness Week, observed from June 22 to 28, and around the International Day of Deafblindness on June 27, which coincides with the birth anniversary of Helen Keller.

According to Sense International India, proceeds from the event will support education, rehabilitation, communication, and inclusion programmes for children and adults with deafblindness.

Founded in 1997, the organisation works exclusively with persons with deafblindness and multiple disabilities. It says it has reached more than 84,000 people across 25 states and helped over 63,500 children access mainstream education through its network of partner organisations and service centres.