PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
A medical doctor and an environmental activist from India, Dr. Raj Phanden, is cycling around the world, carrying the message of preserving the environment.
Seeing the extraordinary nature of his mission, perhaps it would be more than appropriate to christen the doctor as “The Man on Green Wheels”. Yes it may come as a surprise to most people that the gentleman in question is travelling around the world on a bicycle.
As of now, Dr. Phanden has already pedaled 60,000 kms through 57 countries. And even as we prepare to post his ‘Green Odyssey’ online, he is traversing through Uganda en route to Rwanda.
“Everywhere that I’ve been, I’ve received tremendous support from the local populace, both in cash and Kind. That also includes accommodation, food, camera, cycle and, most importantly, their blessings,” he says.
Now I am in Uganda and doing mission Africa,” he said in an interview to PRAVASISAMWAD.COM just before his journey from Uganda to Rawanda.
Dr Phanden covers 80 to 100km in a day depending upon road condition and wind direction. He started his mission ‘Wheels for Green’ on September 5, 2016, to cover 200 countries by 2030. “I have been keeping to this target since the very start of my cycling journey”, he says. “Only time will tell how much I’ll be able to cover”.
In less than three years he managed to cover some 24,000 kilometres. He was spotted in the Sultanate of Oman in 2018. Like an intrepid camper and adventurer, Dr Phanden carries all that he needs on his bicycle, including a tent, navigator, pots and pans, foodstuff, and a toolkit to keep his bike in running condition.
And mind you, cycling around the world is just one half of his mission. In every place that he stops, he doesn’t forget to leave his green signature. Indeed each of the places he has visited bears testimony to the fact, because he always makes it a point to plant some saplings in that place with the help of local residents.
In this way Dr Phanden is making a significant contribution to greening the world and cleaning the world. After all, more trees can rejuvenate the world and reverse the process of environmental degradation.
Pravasi Samavad wishes Dr. Phanden Godspeed and fair winds throughout his journey.
