Shocked and disturbed by rising pollution in India, Sanjay Verma, a 27-year-old lad from Ludhiana, decided to cycle all the way to Bangalore to spread awareness about environmental consciousness. He set out on his mission on April 14 and pedalled 2,800 km over 21 days, passing through nine states, to reach Bangalore on May 5.
Verma, an air-conditioning mechanic, enjoys cycling. That he could use his passion for a good cause introduced him to priceless life lessons. He says, "A local NGO from Ludhiana helped me with planning the logistics of my route. My friends and I then co-ordinated with people we were introduced to by the NGO via email and SMS. Everyone was more than willing to help. I used to read in school books that people of India are full of love and that's exactly what I experienced in my journey. Everywhere, people welcomed me with a lot of love."
Verma may have no solutions to offer but his primary concern is with getting people to realise that their environment is in danger. He says, "I have observed that in my city, pollution has taken a toll on human life and the story is same every where. Rather than using bicycles, people opt for a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler and where one vehicle is enough, people have four. I want to encourage people to plant more trees and discourage the use of vehicles that pollute the environment."
While on his travels, Verma took shelter in homes of welcoming locals, dharamshalas or gurudwaras. In Bangalore, he enjoyed his stay at the Art of Living Centre in Kanakapura. "Once, when I was cycling on a highway, it started pouring heavily and there was not a single tree or a shelter in sight. I had to wait under my umbrella till the rain gods showed me some mercy."
Verma depended on a staple of "mineral water, juices and chocolates for calories" and "roti-sabzi meals" to power his daily 150 km rides. Along the way, he stopped at local schools to spread the message of his cause and shared his passion for cycling and the environment with everyone. Verma spent about Rs 200 a day, and was supported financially by many of his friends and family for this project.
On Bangalore, he says, "This is the first time I am visiting Bangalore and, undoubtedly, it is a beautiful city. People say that it has lost its beauty. I understand that with ongoing construction of the Metro and increasing number of vehicles, the city has now changed. But it is up to us to bring the greenery back to the city."
This is not the first time that Verma has taken such an initiative. In 2010, he cycled from Ludhiana to Allahabad. Also, on April 14, before he set out for Bangalore, he took part in a cycle rally that was organised by a local NGO in Ludhiana. Though Verma missed out on a college education, he has taken it upon himself to be well-informed. Married and a proud father of a one-and-half-year-old son, Verma has found ample support for his endeavours from his wife and parents. He, now, hopes to start a cycle club someday.
