An employee of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation went to famous Badrinath shrine covering a distance of 350 km by a cycle. The 32-year-old UTC staffer, Amit Saini, said his cycle yatra will raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment as well as promote cycling as physical activity to stay healthy.
Saini, who works as an assistant in the regional manager of UTC rode cycle to the shrine located at an elevation of over 10,000 ft with a mean maximum temperature of 8°C. He hopes to complete his journey in 13 days.
Saini told TOI : “I had made up my mind of travelling to Badrinath, the portals for which shall open on April 26, with a message to save the environment and promoting healthy living through physical activity.”
Saini expressed his concern about the rapid deforestation owing to urbanisation and said he will raise awareness on the issue and encourage people to plant more trees. “All eyes are on the Char Dham yatra and I decided to undertake the pilgrimage thinking that it will draw attention to an issue that affects everyone,” said the UTC employee.
After completing his cycle yatra, Saini plans to work in suport of green environment. Despite facing difficulty in gaining support of the family initially, Saini sticked to the track and managed to win his family’s blessings for the expedition. “Finally, I was able to convince my family members and now I have their full support,” said Saini.
Before peddling-off on his cycle expedition, Saini planted three saplings inside the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation office on Gandhi Road on Friday.
News Source – Times of India, Dehradun.
Published Date: April 27, 2015
