Punjab: 35-year-old cyclist Yamuna Dhakal, who embarked on a worldwide bicycle journey from Nepal with a message of peace and environmental protection, was given a warm welcome by international cyclist Balraj Singh Chauhan upon her arrival in Hoshiarpur. Yamuna explained that she previously worked as a videographer for a television channel in Nepal, regularly interviewing cyclists on world tours. Inspired by one such conversation, where she was told that no Nepali woman had attempted a circumnavigation, she decided to take on the challenge herself, becoming the first Nepali woman to cycle across the country.
She explained that before embarking on her international journey, she had already completed extensive cycling expeditions within Nepal, including a 600-kilometer ride from Kathmandu to Jhapa and a 1,172-kilometer journey from east to west of the country. Continuing her journey, she crossed into India from the Sunauli border and passed through Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Delhi, Karnal, Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Amritsar. Before reaching Hoshiarpur, she also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and visited the Attari-Wagah border. Yamuna said Punjab feels like home to her and that she has received immense support and love from fellow cyclists and locals throughout her journey. So far, she has covered approximately 1,500 kilometers in India.
However, she explained that due to the conflict situation in countries like Iran, Israel, and the US, and the inability to obtain a visa to Pakistan, she has decided to limit her trip to India for now and return to Nepal. She plans to resume her world tour once the situation improves. Balraj Singh Chauhan said that he was contacted by Sanjeev Balmi, a member of the Nepal Cycling Club, who requested assistance during Yamuna’s visit to India. Chauhan is helping with her accommodation and support, and even accompanied her on her bicycle ride from Adampur to Hoshiarpur. He praised her determination and expressed confidence in her success.
