Cycling is his medium, cleanliness his message

Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 26

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Abhishek Kumar Sharma (29) from Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is on a nationwide bicycle tour to spread awareness for the cause of cleanliness and sanitation.

An MSc, MPhil degree holder, Abhishek, was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself cleaned garbage outside the Mandir Marg police station in New Delhi on October 2.

Following the Prime Minister’s footsteps, Abhishek left his job to ensure he devotes a full year to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Abhishek started his bicycle cleanliness mission from Fatehgarh on November 10. He traversed 700 odd kilometres till date and reached Uttarakhand district yesterday.

Talking to The Tribune, Abhishek said he would cover 29 states and three union territories and raise awareness about personal hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness.

“If I can sensitise even one person in each city or village, I will think my initiative has been successful,” says Abhishek, who modified his bicycle for this expedition.

Equipped with a LED light, his name, phone number, mission cause, Abhishek organises ‘chaupals’ in villages and conveys his message to elderly and youths effectively.