On February 15, 13 cyclists began their journey from Kolkata to Dhaka in the 10th Bhasha Sutra cycle rally that will see the group travel all the way to Dhaka on their cycles to pay their respect to those who sacrificed their lives to fight for the Bengali language.
The 100 Miles Bhasha Sutra team flagged off their rally from The Press Club, Kolkata, after a media event in which several personalities spoke about the importance of February 21 and the cross-border relations between the two nations.
The event that began in 2012 with seven cyclists has grown over the years carrying different messages across the border with their rallies. A multi-faceted event that includes the importance of cultural relations as well as paying homage to the Bengali language and remembering those who were martyred in their fight for upholding their language, this year Bhasha Sutra is supported by the tourism ministry as the cyclists carry this year’s theme ‘Travel For Life’. It is a pledge that the cyclists have taken that states:
‘I shall adopt a planet-friendly lifestyle during my travel; I shall encourage my friends and family to adopt responsible behaviour during travel; I shall respect local culture and learn about my heritage during my travel; I shall avoid single-use plastic during my travel and; I shall preserve my natural heritage during my travel.’
This pledge was taken after 100Miles, Bhasha Sutra received the International IRCT (International Centre for Responsible Tourism) Award for Responsible Tourism, 2023.
Ranjan Sen and Syed Tanveer Nasreen flag off the cyclists as they begin their journey to Dhaka.
Aiming to make an impact on the ecosystem by reducing their carbon footprint during their travels, the 100 Miles Bhasha Sutra team are flag-bearers in raising awareness towards more sustainable travel methods to leave a lasting impression on the society. Swarojit Roy was the one who came up with the idea of a cross-border cycle rally way back in 2012 and is the only member who has been a participant at the rally across all 10 editions. While he leads the team in organisations and ideas, Buddhadeb Das will be the leader of the pack on road with Sukhendu Banerjee, Sujay Mondal, Debabrata Mondal, Biswajit Barui, Ashis Dutta, Tarun Kayal, Anirban Sinha, Samir Das, Sudip Das, Samman Das and Praloy Mridha, all making the trip across the border.
Swarojit Roy (holding the microphone for the guitarist), Pralay Mridha (with guitar), Diyali Biswas (red sari) sing a melody paying homage to February 21 martyrs.
At the press conference, the cyclists along with Diyali Biswas from the Bhasha Sutra committee performed a song along with Gaanpanthi music troupe led by Pralay Mridha, dedicated to February 21. Prominent figures present at the inaugural event were Ranjan Sen; the first secretary, Bangladesh deputy high commission, Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, a nephrologist, Bengali cultural ambassador, recipient of Shrestha Bengali Samman, Sagnik Chowdhury; IAS, regional director of tourism ministry, musician Dhrubo Basu Roy who took part in the event in earlier years but had to drop out owing to injury and Syed Tanveer Nasreen; former first secretary, culture, Indian high commission in Maldives, head of history, Burdwan University.
The cyclists posed with the dignitaries before they took to the road.
Each dignitary spoke about the importance of maintaining strong cultural ties with Bangladesh as well as the need to ensure the heritage of Bengali language and culture being upheld with such events that remember and recall the sacrifices of those who we celebrate on February 21.
Pulakesh Ghosh spoke about the new portal Bangalinama that will be launching on February 21, the portal will be an informative centre where Bengalis on both sides of the border can access information related to health and tourism. The portal will also have information about Bengalis who are making large strides in society across the world.
The 13 cyclists will be dividing their travel over seven days while covering 350km on their cycles, going 20km on the first day, 75km on the second and third day of their journey, 65km will be covered on day 4 when they will reach Faridpur and the last stretch will see they pedal for 85km to Dhaka on day. Cycling with a mission in mind, the 13 cyclists have the full support of the tourism ministry, 100 Miles, Bangalinama and Bangladesh Travel Writers as they set out on a gruelling trip that will test their stamina and fitness as they make their way to keeping a rich cultural bond going strong.
