Marathon running is becoming popular as people discover the benefits of exercise. Running helps to build strong bones, as it is a weight bearing exercise. It strengthens muscles, Improves cardiovascular fitness, burns plenty of kilojoules and also helps maintain a healthy weight.

Mumbai Marathon is one such event held in Mumbai, India, on the third Sunday of January every year since 2004.

Along with competing Marathon runners it also attracts charity for non-profit organisations to raise funds. NGOs representing causes such as arts, culture and sports, civic and community development, disability, gender equality, education, environment and wildlife, health, human rights, social services, vocational training, and children and the aged participate to spread awareness, generate funds etc.

One NGO Vaastav Foundation has been trying to highlight the issues of men every year in a unique way. They have named their participation in Mumbai Marathon as #WalkForMen . A Walk for men’s health, wealth and safety. Guests on the Grand stand are impressed by the prop highlighting issues of men and its effect on Make In India. In fact the host on stage was so impressed with the group and their display that he talked about the group for Men’s rights for four times till the group passed the grand stage. Whereas the other groups were mentioned only once or twice.

They tried to show that men in society are like the gears that are not visible but are vital for the machinery of society to move. They carried a prop made out of gears and shaped like lion to represent men who take the society forward. But the remarkable thing they had done while creating the prop was added the issues that acted like spanner in the works.

The lion prop they created was shown injured by the arrows hence not agile as it should have been. The lion looked similar to Make in India initiative launched by Prime Minister of India in September 2014 as part of a wider set of nation-building initiatives. The intent behind making something similar to Make in India was to show that initiatives to take India forward will not bear fruit till the basic components/gears of society, the Men are neglected.

India has been gripped by misandry that is spoiling the growth of the nation but still being neglected by the government.

The team of Men’s Rights have done their job and started the new year with a bang now it is up to rest of us to keep on the momentum. It is also to be seen how much impact does this limping lion have on Government & Beuraucracy. Hope they understand that without ensuring safety & security of men they can’t expect this nation to grow.