Delhi University ex-prof defies age to explore Odisha, covers 1,300 km in 13 days
Age is no bar for accomplishing mission
By Swagatika Bhutia
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 25: Nothing is impossible if one has got the right attitude and conviction to attain their mission. Age and physical handicaps cannot even stand in their way of achieving goals. This is what a 69-year old former Delhi University professor has proved.
Dr Sunil Kumar, a retired professor at Dayal College under Delhi University, demonstrated this as he pedaled 1,300-km in 13 days while participating in the 13-day Tour-De-Kalinga cycle expedition in Odisha.
The expedition which began on December 11 from Bhubaneswar reached Koraput, 510 km from Odisha capital Bhubaneswar, on December 18. The cyclists were again back in Bhubaneswar on December 23.
“I had heard of Odisha’s annual Tour-De-Kalinga cycle expedition. This year, I came for the first time to Odisha to participate in the campaign. The main objective of this mission is to showcase the state’s wondrous natural beauty. I’m really overwhelmed to see the lush green forests, the beautiful hills and various tribal communities as I pass through cities and rural areas,” Dr Kumar told this newspaper as he pedaled his cycle on the hilly slopes of Rayagada.
Not only the veteran educationist, but also many other highly educated professionals, including Bharat Chand, a retired principal and father of former Indian Cricket World Cup Winner (Under 19) Unmukt Chand, and a woman cyclist named Sanjita Singh Negi from Ahmedabad, participated in the campaign.
The elderly people had to walk with their cycles as they entered the hilly Rayagada district on the way to Koraput.
“The indomitable spirits of participants to explore the inner beauty of Odisha and mingle with the masses propelled them. We are so happy that they literally came here, saw for themselves and conquered the hilly passes to reach their destination,” said Sudhir Kumar Dash, the founder of Roots of Odisha Foundation which organized the cycling campaign.
The cycling campaign, flagged off by Odisha sports minister Tushar Kanti Behera, passed Satapada, Chillika Lagoons, Berhampur, Taptapani, Chandragiri, Gerang, Parelakhemundi, Rayagada, Koraput, Bisham Cuttack, Kotagada, Daringinbadi, Phullbani, Nayagarh and Khurdha in 13 days.
“All the cyclists sensitised the public on the need of pedaling as an action against increasing global warming. On the way, they interacted with school, college and university students spreading the message on keeping the environment clean and healthy,” Tour-De-Kalinga secretary Madhusudan Mishra.
The tour director Yogendra Singh, recalling his cycling tour in London and Paris, said that the terrain of Tour-de-Kalinga is a million times better and the Odisha government should not neglect the tourism potential of the state further.
