Wheels of change: Manipur cyclist kicks off world tour

IMPHAL: 21-year-old Ji Ingobi Chingtham set off on his solo world bicycle tour on Saturday, the first person to do so from Manipur. Ingobi will be covering seven countries during his seven-month-long tour - Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore.
Chingtham is on a mission to popularise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East policy and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' movement through his tour.He will also be promoting Ema Keithel or the famous mother's market in Imphal. Before travelling to other countries, Chingtham will embark on a 16-day tour of all the districts of Manipur where he will be spreading the idea of global integration.
Ji Ingobi Chingtham
The solo cycle rally was flagged off by consumer affairs food and public distribution minister Karam Shyam at the western gate of Kangla, the cultural heritage site of Manipur. Chingtham seeks to create a unique identity of Manipur across the world, the minister said.
The consumer affairs food and public distribution department has provided financial assistance to the cyclist. Ji Ingobi will be covering 1272 kilometres during his journey. After touring Myanmar for 30 days, he will be passing through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore before returning to India.