Whenever she was tired, she would stop and take a break
An Indian girl cycled while carrying her injured father from Gurgaon, Haryana, to Darbhanga, Bihar, in a journey that measured 1,200 kilometres.
Fifteen-year-old Jyoti Kumari reached her native home in Darbhanga on May 19, 2020, following the seven-day journey.
Her father was a rickshaw driver. However, he was injured in a minor accident and due to the lockdown, he lost his job.
With no income to continue living in Gurgaon, his daughter gave him hope, saying:
“Don’t worry, I’m here.”
She decided that they would go back to their native village. Jyoti told her father to sit on the rear bicycle seat. The teenager then began the long journey.
Jyoti said: “I remembered God just for a few seconds and set off with my ailing father to return to our home riding on a bicycle.”
Although it was a long-distance to cycle, Jyoti and her father reached Darbhanga in just seven days.
She said: “Wherever I felt exhausted, stopped, washed the face with water being carried in a plastic bottle and gave some biscuits and water to father and again set off towards destination.”
The Indian girl revealed that her father’s encouragement kept her determined.
Whenever she was tired, she would stop and take a break on the roadside.
Jyoti recalled the difficulties of the journey, stating that she went without food for two days, giving the food she had to her father.
“In many places, some people were moved by our miserable condition or seeing me riding a bicycle with an old age man, came forward and helped with water and some food.”
After returning to her native village, Jyoti remains in quarantine with her father.
Darbhanga District Magistrate heard about the story and assured that officials would take steps to support her and her father.
He said: “At this time, these families are currently getting the benefit of some government benefits, and after this, all government facilities will be provided according to the need.”
Jyoti’s inspiring story was praised by many, including Ivanka Trump.
15 yr old Jyoti Kumari, carried her wounded father to their home village on the back of her bicycle covering +1,200 km over 7 days.
This beautiful feat of endurance & love has captured the imagination of the Indian people and the cycling federation!?? https://t.co/uOgXkHzBPz
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 22, 2020
The incident even led the Cycle Federation of India (CFI) to call Jyoti for a trial.
Onkar Singh, CFI Chairman, confirmed that they could conduct a test.
He said: “Yes, we are calling that girl for a trial. We will call her to Delhi and we have our parameters in place, we will conduct a test to check whether she is fit for cycling.
“She has some endurance because she has travelled for seven days covering 1200 km.”
“We had a word with that girl yesterday that’s why we have called her.”
Despite the opportunity, it was reported that Jyoti refused the offer, stating that she wanted to prioritise her education.
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