12-year-old boy on 1,200 km cycle expedition honoured

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 4
A 12-year-old Arav Bhardwaj, currently undertaking a 1,200-km cycling journey from the Kargil War Memorial in Leh to the National War Memorial in New Delhi, made a brief stop in Jalandhar late yesterday. His expedition, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated on July 26, is a tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War in 1999.
Accompanied by his father, Dr Atul Bhardwaj, Arav’s 13-day expedition traverses the Union Territories and states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and will conclude in Delhi on August 8. He also had planned halts at Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Karnal and Rohtak.
Supporting Arav throughout his journey are his grandfather, Mittar Sain Bhardwaj, and his uncles, Dr Arun Bhardwaj and Dr Aditya Bhardwaj, who follow him in a four-wheeler as backup support.
Upon his arrival in Jalandhar, Arav and his family were warmly welcomed by the Rotary Club of Jalandhar West. Under the guidance of Chief Advisor Dr SPS Grover, a special ceremony was held to honor the young cyclist. Rotary Club president TPS Bajaj, secretary Tarsem Singh, and Dr Grover presented Arav and his family with siropas.
In recognition of Arav’s efforts, the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, presented the family with specially designed mugs and Rajat Jayanti Kargil Vijay Diwas badges. The Ministry of Defence and the Indian Army have shown strong support for Arav’s initiative.
Apart from planned halts, Arav’s expedition also includes significant stops at the Attari Border and Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. On his return to Delhi, he also stopped at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh on Sunday evening.