KATHMANDU: The annual walkathon of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) to help alleviate avoidable blindness was held on November 26 that was participated by around 400 people including the bank’s staff, supporters and others.

The CEO of SCB (Nepal) Joseph Silvanus inaugurated the walk together with Vice-President of Sipradi Trading Saurav Raj Thapaliya, CEO of National Insurance Pronab Sen, Director of Triveni Group Sanjay Bansal, and CNN Hero and Founder of Maiti Nepal Anuradha Koirala by cutting a ribbon.

At the inauguration, Sen announced that his insurance company will provide Rs 1,00,000 medical insurance to 55 students each who had participated in the walkathon.

The walkathon — A walk for a brighter tomorrow — began from the bank’s head office at New Baneshwor at around 8:00 am. The poster for the walk read ‘#walk for reason 2016’. It ended at the bank’s Lazimpat office.

The walk ended with performances by Maiti Nepal students and Allied 20 group. Allied 20 performed hip-hop dances to the songs Purba Pashchim Rail and Chui Chui Chuikane Jutta and Maiti Nepal’s students performed in the songs Kan Bhaiya Chetan, Hijo Rati Timilai Dekhe and Lasso to represent the three geographical region’s culture.

Addressing the event, Koirala expressed her happiness to be part of such a noble cause. “Stressing to act is better than talking,” adding, “We are doing 60 days activism to stop violence against women which started on November 25,” and called for support to the cause from all.

Silvanus thanked the supporters and partners for their continue support for the charitable cause.

Samridhi Bastola, 22, who was participating in the walk for the first time, expressed her happiness at the chance to walk for good cause. “I’m feeling very happy.

It is a wonderful experience. I’m walking for an important cause and I’m very glad,” quickly adding, “I also enjoyed the performances. They were amazing.”

Under its ‘Seeing is Believing’ initiation, the bank aims to collect $100 million by 2020 to bring affordable eye treatment for all.