In January this year, Panvel resident, Prisiliya Madan (22) cycled all the way to Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, alone. In 2014, her neighbour, Sumeet Paringe (26) set the record of being the first person to cycle to the Siachen Base Camp. Now the childhood friends, as part of their campaign 'Cyclists for Change', are on a 4,400 km journey from Kanyakumari to Khardung La in Srinagar on their Godrej Bamboo Frame Bicycle to support education of girl children.

“When we were approached by Godrej to cycle for this cause, we could not refuse. Illiteracy among girls is a serious problem in our country. This is our way of doing a small bit for this cause,” said Paringe in a telephonic interview. Madan and Paringe, along with Godrej, have joined hands with Delhi-based NGO IIMPACT. They are raising Rs 50 lakh on the crowdfunding website, Fueladream, which will be used to spread education among 1,500 economically and socially backward girls.

The pair commenced their journey on July 14 and are going to be on the road for nearly 70 days till they reach Khardung La. Each day, they start cycling at sunrise and continue till sunset, covering approximately 100 km. “Our experiences on the road are exciting. A lot of people are curious and stop us to discuss it,” Madan shared while talking to dna on a phone call from Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu.

Madan's father, who is a cycling and trekking enthusiast, has been the primary source of inspiration for both of them to pursue the same. Along with cycling from a very young age, Madan, who holds a masters degree in Computer Science, has been involved in Bharatanatyam and craft work. “Growing up, we didn't have motorbikes. On a cycle, the experience is more immersive. You get to meet grassroots people, and the travel is not just about reaching from one destination to another,” concluded Paringe, an engineer by qualification.

Support Madan and Paringe and make education possible for these girls by contributing here.