GST official, retd soldier cycle to Kanyakumari

NASHIK: Superintending officer at Central GST, Nashik, Jaishankar Aiyyar (53), and Retd Col Shivnarayan Mishra (58) completed a 1,800-km cycling expedition from Nashik to Kanyakumari on Thursday.
The duo embarked on their journey on November 26 from Nashik to spread the message of green earth and fitness. In 18 days, they visited 16 faraway places without any backup vehicle.
The route covered b y them was Nashik-Pune-Satara-Kolhapur-Belgaum-Hubli-Bengaluru-Shelam-Madurai-Tirunelveli Valley-Kanyakumari.While Aiyyar has been cycling to work every day for the last six years, covering a distance of 25 km to and fro, Mishra cycles 20-25 km every day for fitness.
They carried 10-12 kg luggage, stayed at hotels, lodges, GST guest houses and wherever they could.
"The purpose was to promote green energy, save fuel, conserve energy, save earth, etc. We carried specially made bibs, and kept changing them, with slogans like - save girl child, save petrol, save earth, cycle to work, pollution-free environment, importance of fitness etc. I cycle to work and save around 15 litres of fuel every day," Aiyyar told TOI over phone from Kanyakumari, an hour after completing the expedition.
Along the route they met GST officials and local people and spread the message of green earth. The duo has rooftop solar powered system at home. They said that they enjoyed interacting with people who were helpful though the condition of road and traffic was bad.
"There has to be a special mention about Nashik Cyclists Foundation which is doing great job in Nashik," they said.