S.S.S. Shameem, Assistant Professor, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), will go on solo cycling for 3,365 kilometres from Okha, Gujarat, in the West to Dibrugarh, Assam, in the East, from May 15.
According to a press release issued here, Prof. Shameem, a seasoned cyclist, had earlier done solo cycling expedition from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in the summer of 2016.
But he could not reach his destination, Leh, because of ill-health and had to abandon his journey at Keylong in Himachal Pradesh.
He followed this by Campus Connect “Tour-de-Manipal” (Manipal University-sponsored team cycling event), from Manipal to Jaipur about 2,500 km in 20 days during the winter of 2016.
But Prof. Shameem is not resting on these laurels as he is all set to go on a solo cycling tour from Okha to Dibrugarh.
He intends to complete this journey in about 20 days beginning from Okha on May 15. He aims to reach Dibrugarh on June 2.
“I am not on this cycling expedition to create a record, but to spread the message of unity and humanity in the country. I also want to popularise cycling which is cleaner, greener and healthier. I call these solo cycling expeditions by me across the country as ‘Bharat Bhraman’,” he said.
In his journey from Okha to Dibrugarh, Prof. Shameem will pass through six States and 39 districts. Moreover, he will be cycling alone in the scorching heat of summer in a race against time and distance.
Not just the heat, he will have to handle the food, accommodation and other aspects of the journey himself for about 20 days, cycling about 170 km to 200 km per day.
Prof. Shameem is a regular endurance athlete with a vast experience of participating in many half marathons and full marathons, besides taking part in 200 km, 300 km and 400 km cycling brevets.
His role models and source of inspiration are his parents Anwar Hossain and Habibun Bibi. Prof. Shameem will be leaving Manipal for Okha on May 12.
