Bicycle diaries of a green bio-grad
Cycling to college was a nightmare for Anil Kumar M. Everyday, the microbiology post-graduate from Bangalore had to pedal about 40km on the polluted city roads. Then, he decided to cycle for a change.
On January 9, the 24-year-old set out on his bicycle for an 8,000-km journey from Bangalore to the Wagah border. His mission: to convince students to use bicycles instead of motorbikes, cut down on plastic and raise environmental awareness. So far, Kumar has cycled through Krishnagiri, Vellore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal and Nagpur. On Sunday, he reached Delhi.
Kumar reached Delhi on the 22nd day on schedule, after covering a distance of 2,750km and meeting some 15,000 schoolchildren en route. His next stop is Panipat and finally, Wagah on February 4.
Then he begins his return journey.
In Vision 2020, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam said the fate of the country is in the students hands. That was my inspiration. Even if I manage to inspire 100 people out of a lakh I meet, its enough, says Kumar.
Kumar cycles between 6.30am and 4.30pm daily. First thing in the morning, he tries to reach a school by assembly time so he can talk to children. Teachers have been more than encouraging, he says.
Except Chennai, Kumar hasnt previously been to any of the places on his itinerary, nor does he follow the language. I dont follow Hindi very well. Sometimes people pass comments and I cant understand a thing. Street hawkers give me everything at a higher price, says the cyclist who enjoys reading Ramayana and Mahabharata as much as a tough Sudoku.
First, he won over apprehensive parents, then cycled to Mysore and Chennai to attract sponsors. Backing him now are The Ride, a cycle foundation, and several other racing clubs. When I called my sponsors from ! Delhi, t hey couldnt believe I had managed it till here, he says excitedly. Already, Kumar is dreaming of a world tour next.
On January 9, the 24-year-old set out on his bicycle for an 8,000-km journey from Bangalore to the Wagah border. His mission: to convince students to use bicycles instead of motorbikes, cut down on plastic and raise environmental awareness. So far, Kumar has cycled through Krishnagiri, Vellore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal and Nagpur. On Sunday, he reached Delhi.
Kumar reached Delhi on the 22nd day on schedule, after covering a distance of 2,750km and meeting some 15,000 schoolchildren en route. His next stop is Panipat and finally, Wagah on February 4.
Then he begins his return journey.
In Vision 2020, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam said the fate of the country is in the students hands. That was my inspiration. Even if I manage to inspire 100 people out of a lakh I meet, its enough, says Kumar.
Kumar cycles between 6.30am and 4.30pm daily. First thing in the morning, he tries to reach a school by assembly time so he can talk to children. Teachers have been more than encouraging, he says.
Except Chennai, Kumar hasnt previously been to any of the places on his itinerary, nor does he follow the language. I dont follow Hindi very well. Sometimes people pass comments and I cant understand a thing. Street hawkers give me everything at a higher price, says the cyclist who enjoys reading Ramayana and Mahabharata as much as a tough Sudoku.
First, he won over apprehensive parents, then cycled to Mysore and Chennai to attract sponsors. Backing him now are The Ride, a cycle foundation, and several other racing clubs. When I called my sponsors from ! Delhi, t hey couldnt believe I had managed it till here, he says excitedly. Already, Kumar is dreaming of a world tour next.
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