Mumbai Marathon: The social interests of India Inc

MUMBAI: Billionaire industrialist Anil Ambani had a long Sunday. He participated in the half marathon in the morning, switched from his sporting outfit to a greyish corporate suit to address a media conference in the afternoon, and played tutor to his son in the evening.
“I created a personal record at the (2011) marathon... my discipline and focus hasn’t changed,” said Ambani, who has been participating in the event since it started in 2003.
Every corporation whose members hit the road supported a cause close to its heart: environment, education, women’s empowerment...
Deepak Parekh, the 66-yearold chairman of HDFC, lent support to Bhavishya Yaan, a project that works on children at municipal schools, preservation of forests and saving the tiger. The ace banker, along with his HDFC contingent of 155, took part in the six-km Dream Run. “It is heartening to see such huge crowds come together and support causes of their choice,” Parekh said.
Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, ran in support of his social organisation Nanhi Kali. Siddharth Mallya, son of liquor baron Vijay Mallya, participated for the first time.
Samir Bhatia, MD, Equifax, a credit rating agency, completed his fifth full marathon in his “personal best time”. Another firsttimer was Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal’s son Agnivesh.
Neeraj Swaroop, country head, Standard Chartered Bank, said: “I am delighted that the marathon continues to get bigger and better every year.”