Pushkar Shah is a Nepalese peace and democracy activist and adventurer. On November 29, 1998 he set off from Dolakha Town, Nepal at the age of 25, for a world bicycle trek.[1] His goal was to spread a message of peace and hope.[2] He has cycled around 150 different countries.
Pushkar Shah | |
|---|---|
| Notable work | Cycled more than 150 countries of the world alone. |
Early life
editShah hails from a Nepalese farming family from the Makaibari Village Development Committee of Dolakha District. His father served in the Indian Gorkha Regiment.
Freedom fighter
editHe was a freedom fighter and was shot during the 1990 People's Movement.[3] His stated motivations were to establish peace, democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and rule of law against the autocratic Panchayat regime. He was arrested and imprisoned many times.[4]
Cycling journey
editWith only a bicycle, 60 kg of essentials and a 100 Nepali Rupees (NR) from his mother, he started his journey in November 1998 from a small village in Dolakha, aiming to circumnavigate the world.
He carried with him messages of peace from Nepal and collected national flags from whichever country he travelled to. On 7 April 2010, he attempted climbing Mount Everest with his collection of flags from around the world.[5] He successfully topped on 17 May 2010.[6]
While in New Zealand, he met Sir Edmund Hillary. However, during his visit, his bicycle was stolen. On learning about this, Hillary bought him a new bicycle. In another incident in Barbados, Pushkar was attacked with a knife while sleeping. When he was in Mexico, he was kidnapped and taken 180 km inside a jungle. He assaulted his captors and escaped, without knowing their motivations.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Nepalese democracy icon to cycle Great Himalayan Trail". Gulf Times. Doha, Qatar. IANS. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- ^ "Around the world in 11 years". Nepali Times. 12 January 2001. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- ^ Kauba, Pat (July 2010). "From Great Lows To Mighty Heights: Meet Pushkar Shah". ECS Nepal. No. 98. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- ^ "Pushkar Shah". Retrieved 28 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Pushkar Shah: Cycling the World for Peace". ECS Nepal. Life & Times. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
- ^ "Pushkar Shah Scales Mount Everest". Retrieved 28 February 2013.