Ravi Kiran is a 29-year-old software engineer who has taken a five-month break from his job to go on a trip using the money he has saved. He is on a self-funded (around Rs 3 lakh) solo cycling expedition ‘Ride for Green India’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to educate people on the importance of protecting the environment. Starting off from Kanyakumari on January 6, he reached Hyderabad by travelling 1813 km across Madurai, Salem, Hosur, Bengaluru, Ananthapur and Kurnool.
Ravi says, “2016 was one of the hottest years. Imagine the plight in the next 25 years! We need to act now for a better and greener future. My motto is to educate students in schools and universities to save water, plant trees and follow other ways to protect the environment. I plan to cover at least 100 schools and target at least 200 to 500 students in each school. I also prepared educational videos in various languages.”
In Hyderabad, Ravi spoke at five government schools. “I spoke about how I am trying to curb pollution and why we face water shortage, etc. I also promote Swacch Bharat and the idea of gifting plants for birthdays,” he says, adding, “Students learn about protecting the environment from books, but not in the practical sense. I encourage them to act.”
Ravi plans to cover 12 states by cycling close to 6,000 km. He also plans to promote local government initiatives people are unaware of. “I also meet environmentalists and share their stories with students,” he says. And the noblest of all acts, Ravi plants saplings throughout the trip. He also scatters seed balls (a clay ball with three seeds) on the way so that a new plant grows when it rains. He has been raising funds for the same. “I wanted to raise Rs 12 lakh, but I only collected Rs 16,000 so far,” he says. To cut down on expenses, he stays over at petrol bunks and temples. Founder of the community Ride for Better India, Ravi has previously been on a Ride for Unseen Heroes (cycle expeditions to various battalions to thank soldiers), ride for Hyderabad traffic police and another throughout Telangana educating farmers about organic farming. He also has a WhatsApp group of biking community members who could help him in case of an emergency.
“The most challenging part was convincing my parents,” says Ravi.
