Kasargod: Farmer from Uttarakhand on a mission for global peace
Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)
Kasargod, Jul 1: A farmer from Uttarakhand has undertaken a tour of the country by bicycle with the aim of spreading awareness about the need to achieve global peace.
Gyanendra Singh (42) from Kundeshwari in Uttarakhand, had begun his journey from Rameshwaram on April 29 this year. After covering a distance of about 2,010 km, he reached Kasargod on Saturday June 29. Singh plans to reach the last point of his tour in his home state, Uttarakhand, in September.
Global peace has been a mission dear to Singh’s heart since long. The bicycle tour presently undertaken by him is the fifth one for him. Gyanendra Singh had undertaken a tour of the country even when Gujarath had come under the grip of unabated violence in the past, for world peace. He had also undertaken a bicycle tour for victory of the country during the world cup tournament, and another one for the conservation of Indian culture. In 2011, he had covered six states in the months of March and April, and four more states between November 2011 and March 2012. He has also travelled to Nepal on his bicycle. That tour, which began on March 21, 2012, had covered eight states, ending on July 26 that year.
Singh says this is the first time he has covered South India. He pedals his bicycle during the day, and takes rest in guest houses or choultries at night.
Singh says he has covered a distance of 16,785 km on bicycle so far. He holds a degree in tourism from Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Gyanendra Singh is aware that his home state has been battered by natural calamities now, and believes that his family members including mother, brothers, and other members, are safe. He says he had worked as a primary school teacher in the past, apart from being a farmer.
Singh calls for bringing a halt to increasing crimes in the country, and this is the motto of his present tour aimed at world peace. He wants to cover 8,000 km this time, passing through 15 states.
On Sunday, Gyanendra began his onward journey towards his home state, by entering Karnataka.