Even as citizens have started to pick up brooms to clean their surroundings with the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, a senior citizen decided to pedal his way to New Delhi to spread the message of ‘Swachh Karnataka, Swachh Bharat’.
With a photo of Mahatma Gandhi and posters of ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign fixed to his cycle, Umapathi Modaliar (69), a native of Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati in Arsikere taluk of Hassan district, launched his cycling mission here on Friday.
Interestingly, he cleaned the surroundings of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple opposite the Mysore palace before launching his tour.
Cycling for a cause is not new for Umapathi, who is an electrician by profession. He claims to have covered 23,680 km on his cycle during various missions between 2001 and 2013.
He works for nine months and goes on cycle tours using his savings.
The last cycle tour he completed was in 2010 when he covered 3,105 km to New Delhi in 47 days. So, what makes him take up cycle tours even at his age?
“I studied till class 8 and I can only speak Kannada fluently. But, I still manage to strike conversations with people in various States en route my cycle tour. It gives me immense pleasure to cycle around the country spreading awareness,” says Umapathi.
Health problems have not deterred this elderly citizen from taking up long-distance cycling missions.
“Cycling is my passion. If I’m tired, I stop and take rest for a few days. People are kind and help me by giving money and food for my mission. I also get accommodation in government guest houses,” he said.
“On my way to New Delhi, I will meet people and tell them the importance of cleanliness,” says Umapathi, who has done cycle tours to raise awareness on corruption, liquor and cow slaughter.
He plans to reach New Delhi in less than 60 days.
