26-year-old cycles from Gorakhpur to Delhi, spread word about saving environment

26-year-old man from a village in Gorakhpur district is cycling a distance of over 700km and spreading the word about saving the earth and reducing pollution

A 26-year-old man from a village in Gorakhpur district is cycling a distance of over 700km and spreading the word about saving the earth and reducing pollution. The man started his journey alone on the occasion of the World environment Day on June 5 and reached Ghaziabad on Thursday.

Gyan Pandey, who hails from Basdila village, said he was inspired from his elder brother SP Pandey who left his job as a software engineer during the Anna movement in Delhi. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

Gyan Pandey, who hails from Basdila village, said he was inspired from his elder brother SP Pandey who left his job as a software engineer during the Anna movement in Delhi and is presently working as a social activist.

“I had been educating masses in my village about the need to cast votes in elections, safe disposal of solid waste and regular cleaning of drains. As the World Environment Day was approaching, I decided to educate people in other villages and cycle to Delhi. From there, I will cycle to Lucknow and will try to meet UP chief minister to hand over a memorandum to him,” Pandey said.

Pandey has cycled through various districts such as Basti, Faizabad, Barabanki, Sitapur Rampur, Moradabad and now Ghaziabad.

“In most of the areas, I had to sleep in roadside dhabas. Once, I went to meet district officials but they shrugged me off after taking my pamphlet and memorandum,” he said.

“After reaching Delhi, I will try to meet the Prime Minister and hand over a pamphlet and memorandum. I know it will be difficult and won’t feel dejected even if i am not able to meet him. I will try to meet the UP chief minister in Lucknow. Even if I am not able to meet him, my journey will still be fruitful as the cause of saving the environment is a bigger challenge,” he said.