Pedalling for life: Delhi cop’s 4,500km ride to inspire organ donation

Pathankot: A senior Delhi Police officer embarked on an extraordinary mission to inspire people across the country to pledge eye and body donation after death.Deputy commissioner of police Vipul Anekant reached Pathankot on Saturday as part of his remarkable 4,500-kilometre solo bicycle journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, undertaken to spread awareness about the life-saving importance of organ and body donation.Breaking the stereotype that senior police officers often remain distant from the public, Anekant, originally hailing from Rajasthan, undertook this unique initiative with the sole aim of motivating people to donate their bodies for medical education and organs for patients in need.Upon reaching Pathankot, Anekant said he began his journey on Jan 16, determined to encourage people across the country to view body donation as one of the noblest acts of service to humanity.His solo cycling campaign, titled ‘Dehdaan–Angdaan–Netradaan Awareness Solo Cycling Yatra', aims to create greater awareness about the importance of donating organs, eyes, and even the human body for medical research and education.The inspiration behind this humanitarian mission came from a deeply personal experience. Anekant said his grandfather donated his body to Junagadh Medical College 8 years ago. That selfless act left a deep impression on him and motivated him to dedicate his efforts to promoting awareness about body donation.Currently heading towards Srinagar, he said he expects to reach the city in the next few days. Despite covering thousands of kilometres, he is travelling alone with only a small bag weighing about 2 kilograms, carrying just a few essential items and would join his duty on April 20.