Greetings from India!

I, Vishnudas Sheshrao Chapke welcome you to Hindayan.

I was working as a journalist with Mumbai-based English newspapers. Life was normal, just like a straight line on a paper – work hard during weekdays and, on weekends, watch movies, eat and sleep.

Fortunately or unfortunately, one day, I had to visit a hospital for a small surgery. Life changed dramatically, as soon as the liquid anaesthesia dissolved in my blood.

Post-surgery, under influence of anaesthesia, I could not move for two days. While lying on the bed, I realised the truth – life and body are not guaranteed. Travel till there is strength and the spirit in the body.

When I stood again on my own feet, I resolved to see at least a few places of this beautiful planet on which I am born. And I must hurry because the departure bell can/will ring any moment.

When I was leaving my sister’s house on March 19, 2016, in Thane/Mumbai, my plan was to visit North East of India. I had $1000 (Rs 67,000). When I reached Kolkata, my plan extended till Thailand as Myanmar consulate was extra generous to grant me tourist visa which was otherwise not granted to overland travellers during junta rule.

Bombay (Mumbai) to Bangkok road trip was a dream come true. I was working on plans to come back to Mumbai. Just then, a friend, Dr. Rucha Lahane, asked me whether I would like to visit another country. I said yes. Next day, she deposited her first salary in my account.

Mr. Umesh Kashikar, Mr. Sujit Bangar (IRS), Hrishikesh Modak (IAS), and dozens of friends voluntarily offered me help. They donated their hard-earned savings so I could fulfil my dream. Abhijit Bangar, Nirbhay Jadhav and Vijaykumar B Gadekar promised to look after my old parents in my absence.

My travel plan was simple – stand on the road and request for the free lift. For shelter, I used to write a request on Facebook, ‘Hello friends, I am reaching Santiago de Chile. By any chance do you have any friend or contact please share.’ I used to stay with them, eat their bread help them in their routine work and continue the journey ahead.

I volunteered in Chile’s national emergency over wild forest fire. Then, President of Chile Ms Michele Bachelete greeted me with a hug and offered a promise/favour. I accepted her offer of a favour and requested if I may have the honour to plant a tree with her in the Presidential Palace. She smiled and said ‘yes’. Besides her, I was honoured to plant trees with several Environment Ministers around the world.

Friends who gave me shelter or took me around their cities to show their heritage used to ask me whether I will show them India when they come here. I did not have an answer to that question.

In September 2019, a Mexican friend, Ms Lilian, visited India. I travelled with her for two weeks around India as I had free time. I realised that I cannot travel with every individual friend for two weeks. So, I thought, I should organise an annual event to show India to my friends.

In late 2019, I had the honour to meet then Hon Sport and Youth Affair Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju sir and brief him on our plan of the HindAyan Cycle Race and Expedition. He was kind enough to appreciate our plan and offer help for HindAyan.

Meanwhile, the Corona epidemic came and our plan was halted. In 2021, again I started to follow up new Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur sir and Hon Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Ms Meeta Rajivlochan ma’am.

Success Story!
HindAyan 2023

In 2023, the Honourable Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, honored our request by personally reaching out to the Secretaries of Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. She urged them to provide police security, civic, and logistical support for the event. The Ministry of Defence graciously sent a young cycling team consisting of Indian Army and Indian Navy personnel.

The Uttar Pradesh state government, led by Hon’ble Shri Yogi Adityanath, granted us special permission to ride from Delhi to Agra on the Yamuna Expressway—India’s first expressway, where an Indian Air Force fighter jet had previously touched down. Additionally, the Maharashtra Government permitted us to ride on the iconic Bandra-Worli Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in Mumbai.

The inaugural experimental ride was flagged off by Indian Ambassador to Peru, Shri Vishwas Sapkal (IFS 1998), at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on February 5, 2023. The cycling team journeyed from Delhi to Pune, passing through Agra, Jaipur, Gandhinagar, Surat, Thane, and Mumbai. Along the way, they were greeted by military and civil leaders in various cities, and local school students enthusiastically welcomed them. Post-ride, the cyclists visited schools, sharing stories about life in the armed forces and the sports opportunities available.

On February 19, the team reached the National War Memorial in Southern Command of the Indian Army, where they were warmly received by army leaders and treated to a performance by the army band.

HindAyan 2024

In 2024, our second experimental ride expanded to include only cyclists from the armed forces and paramilitary units. Teams from the Indian Navy, Territorial Army, Border Security Force (BSF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) participated. The number of cyclists grew from 8 to 246, with many holding officer ranks across various forces.

The Uttar Pradesh government again graciously permitted us to ride on the Yamuna Expressway from Delhi to Agra. Riders enjoyed the smooth, obstacle-free road, making it a particularly pleasant experience. The Delhi to Agra segment was led by Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence Lt Gen Anil Puri (Retd), while the Mumbai to Pune leg was led by ironman Capt Jayasanker from the Indian Navy.

Plan for 2025

HindAyan 2025 is open to the public. We have secured permission from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The Honourable Secretary has reached out to the Chief Secretaries of Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, requesting their support in providing logistical assistance and police bandobasta for the event.

This year, HindAyan will be held in two phases:

  • Cycle Expeditions in legs: Delhi to Pune from February 8 to 19, 2025.
  • Stage Races: Three odd 110 km races from March 7 to 9, 2025, in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.

For professional riders, there will be three stage races and two long rides: Delhi to Agra via the Yamuna Expressway and Mumbai to Pune. The Delhi to Agra ride will have restrictions on civilian participants but will be open to armed forces, paramilitary and state police personnel. The Mumbai to Pune ride will be open on a first-come, first-served basis.

For regular riders, there will be five intercity rides: Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, Thane to NCPA Mumbai, CSTM Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, Lonavala to Pune, and Shaniwarwada to Sinhagad Payatha and Trek in Pune City.

Additionally, to encourage cycling among youth and amateur riders, we will host three Joy Rides of under 20 km in Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Pune.