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| Cyclist Pinal Parlekar in North-East India |
Vadodara, Gujarat’s Pinal Parlekar has become the first woman to cover the capitals of North-East Indian states by cycling in 20 days under the Swasth Bharat theme. Parlekar along with her six-member team started from Assam state zoo in Guwahati on December 15, 2018, and finished the expedition on January 3, 2019, at the same venue covering a distance of 2,104.5km across all the northeastern states. The route was Guwahati, Shillong, Agartala, Aizawl, Imphal, Kohima, Itanagar and then back to Guwahati. Apart from the terrain, Parlekar had to face tremendous difficulties starting from witnessing a fellow rider meeting with an accident to senior members deserting her in the middle of the expedition. Initially, there were four cyclists and two supporting members but on day 15, the team leader and other teammates left her at Bokajan forcing her to ride from Bokajan via Biswanath Chariali to Guwahati alone. On the last day, she rode 237.9km to reach Guwahati.
"I have Successfully completed 'Mission 7 sisters on wheels'. India’s North East, called the land of the seven sisters, can be described as the paradise unexplored. Each state has its own cultures and beliefs, each having its own attraction.
I started my journey on 15th Dec, 2018 from Assam state zoo, Guwahati at 08:00 am with the slogan 'SWASTH BHARAT'. It was terrible. On the second day itself, one of the riders in the team got seriously injured. But we stayed calm and composed to continue our journey. Everything seemed to be going according to plan but on day 15, the route was misjudged by two of my teammates which led to an argument. Finally, they left me at Bokajan the next morning. They even took all the cycles and the supporting vehicle. But I didn’t lose my passion and courage. Not for a single moment did I think of giving up as it was my dream to complete it anyhow.
The experience of this cycling expedition taught me to be strong and determined in every situation. I think adventure sport is very important for personal growth.
I want to give special thanks to who have been part of my success:
Ghanshyam Raghuwanshi, With his support and encouragement I have successfully completed my cycling expedition.
Supuraj Gogoi (Netventure, Guwahati), Pranay Bordoloi (Prag News, Guwahati), Arshel Akhter (Guwahati cycling club Mayor), Traveller Pachu Shetty (Technical Support) and his friend Marnungden and his Cousin from Dimapur, Nagaland, Youth and Cultural department (Government of Gujarat), Omi Bakshi and his best friend HnehZoa from Mizoram,
Michael (Mizoram cycling association), Father Francis and Binay Kumar Shahu (Imphal), Diksha dutta and TNC Bhavan staff (Bokajan), Vidhyut Bhai (Auto Rickshaw, Bokajan), Ahmed Bhai (Inova, Golaghat), Prashantvijay Nair Alpha Indian (health supplements, Ahmedabad), Waseem (photography), Akhilesh Yadav (for arrangements), and a very special thanks to Nizam Sir for inviting me to join this cycling expedition.
I am very lucky, I have got very loving parents and always been very supportive."
- Pinal Parlekar
Read Pinal's complete journey at Himalayan Climber
