Pic: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NDF)
Mangaluru, May 24: Prasad Vijay Shetty, a cyclist from Nellikaru, a village near Moodbidri, has entered the India Book of Records on two fronts for a cycling expedition he undertook from Kashmir to Kanyakumari recently.
He has made it to the book of records for two achievements - being the first to cycle from Kashmir to Kanyakumari twice; and completing the trip in the quickest time - 19 days.
Addressing press meet here on Thursday May 24, Prasad said, "I undertook the first expedition from January 11, 2017 to March 12, 2017- a total of 61 days. I undertook that initiative with the motive of 'Clean India-Green India' and made a solo cycle expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. It was a great success.
"I undertook the second expedition - a solo ride again, without any backup, from March 24 to April 11 this year and completed the entire course of 4000 km in 19 days - an Indian record. I made this expedition with two intentions - 'Pedal for Defence People' and 'Include Tulu in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution'. My primary purpose for the second expedition was to make Tulu language famous, and I displayed the Tulunadu flag throughout the journey," Prasad said.
"I set two new records during this expedition. The first pertains to a record set for completing the trip in the shortest time - 19 days. I bettered the record of 23 days set by Santhosh Holi of Maharashtra. The second record states that I am the first man to complete the cycling expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari twice."
Prasad Shetty, a former 3D animator at Dadasahib Phalke Film studio in Gurgaon, is also an avid rock-climber and mountaineer. During the press meet, he requested sponsorship to achieve another goal he has in mind. "I have the vision of setting many more records in the future. At the moment, I have my sight set on fulfilling a dream of mine as a mountaineer - to climb Mount Everest. I request the support of benefactors willing to fund this expedition as it costs around Rs 40 lac."
Prakash Shetty, Dinesh Rai and others were present.