Global warming awareness on cycle
With ` 20,000 in hand and a urge to do something for his country, Daljeet Singh is determined to travel across India to promote green, writes Sandhya C D’Souza
Love for nature has driven many to do crazy things, but Daljeet Singh (48) is unique of all as he is on a mission to travel across India spreading the message of Go-Green on his bicycle.
With Rs 20,000 in hand and a urge to do something for his country, Daljeet an electrician by profession mount his cycle in Gurgaon, Haryana on June 10 this year and since the past two months has peddled to seven Indian states and several cities and will continue his mission till he reaches Kanyakumari.
Singh, who arrived at Mangalore on Friday, tells City Herald that 20 years ago he had travelled to Jammu on his bicycle from New Delhi. “I felt a change in me, an eternal bliss in that trip,” he says and adds that later he got married and was busy in his family life.
“I have always hungered for that feeling and was always looking out to go on a similar expedition. After I got my daughter married in January, I thought its time I mount my bicycle again,” he says and adds that he thought of promoting the cause of go-green in his trip.
Scientists say that there is no other planet like earth, and man who is supposed to be its care taker is destroying it. “If everyone minimises the use of plastic and motor vehicles, one can help in reducing global warming. Hence this is one reason I have mounted a bicycle,” he informs.
A man who strongly believes in communal harmony and taken up by India’s culture and diversity, Daljeet says that everyone prays but fails to recognise the eternal power of god. “Be it any religion, I want each to feel god within, and have been asking different people about god on my trip. This has helped me come closer to the eternal power,” he reveals.
Daljeet who cycles for seven to eight hours and about 100 kms a day informs his bicycle broke-down when he reached Bhopal. “I sold my old and brought a new bicycle for Rs 3,500,” he smiles showing the bicycle bill. He also complains that his new bicycle got punctured when he reached Santhapur village and he managed to patch the tyre in the village.
Speaking about his stay, Daljeet reveals that he sleeps in temples. “Many a times, the temple priests have not given me permission to stay and this forces me to take a lodge which comes heavily on my budget,” he says and adds that for food, he stops at many small hotels he comes across his way.
“I have had an opportunity to taste variety of Indian delicacies because of my trip. I love the food though I have not been able to adjust to the South Indian cuisine,” he smiles.
Speaking about a memorable incident he encountered on his journey, Daljeet says that he had approached a police station in Goa, to ask them if he could spend a night there as he was unable to find any place for stay. However, the police inspector was rude to him and told him he could also be a terrorist and blow up the station. In spite of showing him his ID, the cop was skeptic and sent him away.
“If the police are themselves scared of terrorists and unable to help common man, what will happen to the country,” he questions.
Speaking about various challenges, he says Ghat regions are difficult to pedal. “I push my bicycle for kilometers. However, I don’t feel any difficulty as I will be totally lost in the nature’s beauty.”
On reaching Kanyakumari, I plan to take the sea water and put it on my head. I also want to stay and work in Kanyakumari for six months as I am totally drained from cash. After that I shall take a train to New Delhi with my bicycle, he informs and adds that though his family could not support him financially, they support him morally.
Singh also plans on writing a book about his expedition and has collected all bills and receipts of his expenditure for proof.
Despite painful blisters on his feet which are the result of persistent cycling, Daljeet puts on a pleasant smile silently giving a clarion call to the civil society to be a part of his mission.
