26-year-old from Barua Deeh village in Deoria district is on a special mission
Munish Sood
MANDI: A quiet afternoon at the Jarli-Malori four-lane tunnel near Mandi turned extraordinary when passers-by noticed a young man pedalling a cycle adorned with the tricolour and slogans dedicated to Indian soldiers. That cyclist was Abhishek Yadav, a 26-year-old from Barua Deeh village in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, who is on a mission to honour Indian soldiers and martyrs through what he claims will be the world’s longest solo cycling expedition.
Launched on December 19, 2024, under the banner of The Indian Heroes Trust, the expedition aims to cover 47,000 kilometres over 900 days, traversing every Indian state and 61 Army cantonments. Ten months into his journey, Yadav has already clocked a significant distance and is now making his way through the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, en route to Leh-Ladakh.
A warm welcome in Mandi
Yadav’s entry into Mandi did not go unnoticed. Municipal Councillor Virender Arya spotted the determined cyclist near the tunnel and was intrigued by the slogans painted on his cycle—messages calling for dignity and welfare for soldiers and their families. Arya stopped him to learn more about his mission.
“Abhishek’s journey is an inspiration,” Arya said while hosting him for tea at his residence. “At a time when most youngsters are chasing careers, he has chosen to dedicate three years of his life to remind the nation of the sacrifices made by our armed forces. This is not just a cycle journey; it is a moving campaign for national conscience.”
In conversation, Yadav explained that his journey is about more than physical endurance; it is a call for policy reforms and social recognition for soldiers, ex-servicemen, and especially the families of martyrs.
“These are not demands for privilege, but for respect and justice,” Yadav said. “If a soldier can give his life for the country, the least we can do is ensure his family lives with dignity and without bureaucratic struggles.”
Voices of support from Mandi
Yadav’s arrival in Mandi stirred conversations in the town. Locals who interacted with him expressed admiration for his commitment.
“Listening to him makes you realise how often we take our soldiers for granted,” said Sunita Devi, a shopkeeper near the tunnel. “We celebrate them on national holidays, but their families live with daily struggles. His journey forces us to think about them.”
Retired Army Subedar Baldev Singh, who lives on the outskirts of Mandi, also praised the initiative. “As an ex-serviceman, I know the difficulties our families face with paperwork and delayed benefits. Abhishek’s journey is symbolic, but it carries the voice of thousands of us who want change,” he said.
Along his journey, Yadav is raising awareness about a detailed set of demands to secure dignity and recognition for soldiers and martyrs’ families.
Key proposals by Abhishek Yadav:
1. Complete social and administrative respect for serving, retired, and martyred soldiers’ families.
2. Minimal paperwork for accessing government schemes—covering land leases, housing plots, ration shops, and soft loans.
3. Free permanent education for children of martyrs in Army, Military, and Sainik Schools, with special assistance and reservations for joining the armed forces.
4. A ₹20 lakh joint grant from state and central governments for the marriage of martyrs’ daughters.
5. A dedicated administrative and police unit to address and prioritise issues faced by martyrs’ families.
6. A “Respect Card” for retired officers and ex-servicemen, providing priority in government schemes, travel facilities, and public services—similar to the symbolic “Red Card” once issued during colonial times.
In addition, Yadav appeals to citizens to contribute voluntarily—as little as ₹1—towards a support fund for martyr families. “This is a small but heartfelt contribution from society to honour our heroes,” he says.
For Yadav, the journey itself has been physically and emotionally demanding. Covering hundreds of kilometres each week, he survives on modest means—sometimes sleeping at dharamshalas, sometimes in open fields. His cycle, decorated with flags and slogans, has become a travelling noticeboard for his cause.
“People often stop me, offer me food or a place to rest,” he shared. “This journey has shown me the generosity of ordinary Indians, and also their respect for soldiers.”
