A youth group in India embarks on its fourth cycle ride for peace, calling for good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan
By Samir Gupta
It was an unusual peace rally that pedalled off from India Gate in New Delhi shortly after noon on the first day of the New Year, January 1, 2017. The youngest cyclist in the group is ten years old, the oldest, 77.
The team from Andhra Pradesh
Photos and video by Samir Gupta
Street food vendors were still setting up their stalls on that cold, crisp morning as the participants arrived at the venue at 9 am, three hours ahead of the noon flag-off time. Seeing the cyclists off were several prominent personalities including journalist Kuldeep Nayar and retired Justice Rajinder Sachar among others.
Participants from Gujarat
The 69 cyclists and a bus with another thirty participants under the banner of the peace group Milne Do (Let Us Meet) geared up for their 500-kilometre, nine-day long journey to the India-Pakistan border at Wagah. This is the group’s fourth cycle ride for peace between India and Pakistan.
Samar G, a ten year old from Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh
Group convenor Praveen Singh organised the first cycle rally in 2013, initially with students from Delhi University. This year, participants from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Manipur joined the group. As with previous such rallies, the ride will culminate Wagah border.
Girls lead the cycle rally from the India Gate
Several curious onlookers wondered what was going on.
One bystander shook his head when he saw the placards and the banners, muttering, “This is all useless. India has been trying for peace for decades. Pakistan does not want it”.
Kuldeep Nayar sharing his conversation with M.A. Jinnah
Speaking at the occasion, Kuldeep Nayar, whom some speakers affectionately referred to as “the great grandfather of peace activists”, gave a rousing speech.
Sharing stories from pre-Partition days, he remembered when as a young student in Lahore he had met Pakistan’s founder M.A. Jinnah. In answer to Nayer’s question, Jinnah had expressed the hope that India and Pakistan would live in peace with each other.
Milne Do: the group’s name inspired by the Aman ki Asha campaign against visa restrictions
Other distinguished supporters also gave inspiring speeches. Justice Sachar reminisced about growing up in what is now Pakistan and the great pre-Partition hockey team days.
Yogendra Yadav, well known psephologist and politician reminded those present that the hostilities are between the bureaucrats and the political and military establishments of the two countries, not the two peoples.
Prof Anand Kumar talked about how it took two bloody world wars for Europe to realise the futility of war.
Renowned theatre director Arvind Gaur shared experiences about the warm hospitality that Pakistanis extend to Indian visitors, and encouraged those present to reach out to friends in Pakistan.
Milne Do members hold up posters and placards calling for talks between India and Pakistan
The youngest member of the group, ten-year old Samar G, is part of a large group of cyclists from Andhra Pradesh led by V. Satyanarayana.
The eldest, Nanu Vaidya, 77, chief warden Civil Defence from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was accompanied by Eknath Kanade an ex-armyman.
Participants Jokpa Kakson, Meichingreiliu Pomei and Bisson M came all the way from Manipur as did others from all over India.
The bus with essential supplies accompanying the cyclists to the border that will bring them back to Delhi.
The riders from Andhra Pradesh were full of beans before embarking on their first cycle rally to Wagah. They wanted to know more about life and the people in Lahore.
When the discussion veered towards the possibility of the group being able to travel to Lahore and a possible reception there, all the faces lit up.
Teenagers Divya, Aishwarya and Paravllika cheered and looked particularly excited about the prospect of being able to travel to Pakistan.
Milne Do members at the start of the rally
The politicians and bureaucrats of the two countries should listen to the common people in the two countries and ease the visa regime. People want to meet each other.
Samir Gupta is an IT professional and peace activist based in Ghaziabad, India.
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