Milind Soman completes 1,000 km ‘green ride’ on a cycle

Fitness icon Milind Soman completed a 1,000-km long cycle journey from Mumbai to the national capital to raise awareness about air pollution. The 56-year-old barefoot marathon runner cycled 150 km in a day to propose state gas utility GAIL India Ltd’s ‘Hawa Badlo’ campaign, which promotes the use of clean fuels and a healthy lifestyle to combat pollution .

Starting his journey from Mumbai on December 3, he reached the national capital on Sunday evening. At an event organized by GAIL here to mark the culmination of the run, the supermodel said that small changes – such as walking or cycling for shorter distances, are needed to switch to clean energy sources as EV and CNG are for the world. Will bring a big change.

Soman, who prefers to run instead of cycling, says that after four years he took to cycle to test his physical fitness. “It really wasn’t that hard.”

Everyone has to set physical goals and exercise daily. He said, “Nature has not created our mind and body for rest. It is made for challenges, hard work. If you don’t use it for it, it will deteriorate.”

The Green Ride passed through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana before reaching the national capital. “If we eat healthy, stay healthy, we won’t have to worry about the environment,” he said. “If we make the right choices for personal health, consume as much as is necessary, if we choose less polluting fuels like electricity, it will make a big difference.”

GAIL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain, Firm’s Director (Marketing) ES Ranganathan and Director (Finance) RK Jain were present on the occasion.

Jain said that GAIL has always been at the forefront of the fight against air pollution. Starting out as a natural gas transporter and marketer, the firm introduced CNG in the national capital more than two decades ago to fight air pollution caused by the use of alternative liquid fuels.

Its social media initiative ‘Hawa Badlo’, which seeks to raise awareness against the menace, has reached netizens over 100 million times. “As part of its commitment to raise awareness for a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle, GAIL has partnered with ‘Green Ride – an initiative towards Swachh Hawa Ki Aar’, a unique initiative by Milind Soman to raise awareness and encourages people to do their bit towards clean air,” said Jain.

Soman said that small steps like choosing a carpool, planting trees, choosing a bicycle instead of a car and quitting smoking play a huge role in making the environment healthier.

“Will continue to champion this cause and other important people through more such initiatives in the future,” he said. PTI ANZ Shree