CHANDIGARH: Cyclists travelling from

with the message of environment conservation and

peace

reached Chandigarh on Wendesday. They will be further travelling to Leh and then return. The two young cyclists from Bangladesh are Mohammad

and Jahangir Aalam, both members of Ahmadiyya Muslim community.

Sharing about the journey till Chandigarh, Robiul Islam said they started from Dhaka with the mission of Bangladesh-India friendship, peace and environmental conservation and planting saplings on the way in almost all cities they touched during the initiative. He further said it was heartening for them to visit and see Chandigarh, the most green and clean city they had seen till date. He added that for cyclists this city had a lot to offer. They plan to finish their Dhaka to Leh journey of approximately 4,000km by August 15.

In the city they were received and welcomed by volunteers of Yuvsatta-NGO, along with Peace Club students and teachers of St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School in Sector 44 on the school campus.

Welcoming the young environment and peace lovers, Monica Chawla, principal, shared that it was a great honour for them to receive these two young men who had already travelled over 2,500km after starting on June 17 from Dhaka and reaching Chandigarh after covering seven states — West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. And they further plan to pedal to reach Leh and Khardungla (the highest motorable pass of the world), she added. Their spirit of adventure of confidence motivated the school children to take pride and courage in undertaking such adventures in life.

Abdul Qayum, deputy conservator of forests, and additional CEO, Crest, Chandigarh administration, was the chief guest at the function. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Pramod Sharma, coordinator of Yuvsatta, and Sheraz Ahmed of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jammat, Chandigarh.

Appreciating the courageous attempt of the two young men from the friendly neighbouring country of Bangladesh, Qayum said, “We need more and more young people to selflessly work on global challenges of climate change, environmental conservation and peace. And these two boys are real-time role models for young students for taking the first step and become active green citizens of the nation by planting and caring for at least one tree to consume less and conserve more and motivate their family and friends to practice green living following the 5R’s green mantra — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.

The programme ended with the plantation of saplings by all prominent people on the school campus.