Mangaluru: Former Australian Member of Parliament Patrick Farmer, who has undertaken an ultra marathon across the country covering 4,600kms for various causes, reached the city on Thursday afternoon. Through his initiative, Farmer will raise 1,00,000 Australian dollars for girls’ education in India.
Creating awareness on education of female children is one of the three main objectives for which Farmer has undertaken this marathon, the other two being – to inspire people and to improve relationships between India and Australia.
On education of girl child he said: “If a girl is educated, a family is educated. If a family is educated, a national is educated. I have had the privilege of travelling as many as 14 countries. I have seen women without education who are unable to even have their children’s birth certificates. Illiteracy is a huge disadvantage. Most of India has a good literacy rate and the education system is good.
However, girls from poor families slip through the cracks. This is the reason why I am raising money.”
“I want to use my footsteps to inspire people in schools, universities and everyone watching me on the streets. If an ordinary person like me can do this, anybody can. More importantly, together as a country, this nation can do wonders, he said.” Explaining his second cause, Farmer said: “India and Australia are two great world democracies. We have set great examples to the world. While the world is facing troubled times like terrorism, I want to celebrate positives of humanity.” Asked why India, he said this is an ideal place as there several religions and languages harmoniously co-exist and this country has always captured my imagination.”
Film on marathon
Meanwhile, Farmer who is accompanied by ten members, has been making a film on the system of tolerance and humanity in India. He said that the movie is on the lines of Anupam Sharma’s UnIndian starring veteran Aussie cricketer Brett Lee. Several Indians are playing important roles in the movie.
Farmer started the marathon at Kanyakumari on January 26- the day which is celebrated as Indian Republic Day and the Australian National Day. The countrywide marathon is sponsored by Incredible India, a wing of the Indian Tourism Department. Farmer is scheduled to end his stint on March 30 in Kashmir.
