Coronavirus in India: 15-year-old girl who cycled 1,200 km to get migrant worker father turns down Cycling Federation invite
Her father, Mohan Paswan, says that she might appear in trials after lockdown
by Falah Gulzar, Social Media ReporterJyoti Kumari, who was forced to pedal over 1,200 kilometres to Dharbhanga in Bihar from Delhi to rescue her migrant worker father amidst the coronavirus lockdown, has turned down an offer from the Cycling Federation of India (CFI). The 15-year-old says she is tired and wants to focus on education.
After the incident came to light, the CFI invited Kumari to go for trials as a trainee at the National Cycling Academy in Delhi.
According to Indian news media reports, Chairman of Cycling Federation of India (CFI) Omkar Singh, was quoted as saying: “We’re impressed as well as amazed at Jyoti’s pedalling capacity as she covered a distance of 1,300 kms within a week on a bicycle with her father. The CFI has decided to give her a chance to prove her mettle.”
Singh added, “We just want to call her for trials for her selection as a trainee… she will be tested on computerised bikes.”
But for Kumari, currently studies are her top priority.
“Earlier, I could not continue my school education because of my family problem, and I was occupied with the domestic work… but now I wish to complete my matriculation first,” she told an Indian newspaper.
“I also feel physically weak now after such a long arduous journey,” she added.
However, there have also been reports in Indian news media that Kumari’s father, Mohan Paswan, has said that she will be attending the trials.
"We will surely send [her] for the trials after the lockdown is lifted. She was enrolled into class nine yesterday. At the moment, we want her to complete her matriculation,” Paswan was quoted as saying.
How did the journey begin?
Kumari had gone to Gurugram with her mother and brother-in-law at the end of January after her father broke his leg in an accident while driving his e-rickshaw. Kumari had reportedly stayed in Bihar to look after her father, Paswan.
However, after the COVID-19 lockdown was implemented in India, the duo was asked to vacate their home and soon after, their journey began.
“Jyoti suggested we too should leave for our village, like others…but we had no money… she bought a second-hand bicycle from a neighbour and asked me to sit on it and we set off on our journey on May 10,” Paswan was quoted as saying.
Their journey ended on May 16 after they reached Darbhanga.
The teenager was praised online after her efforts were highlighted by the media.
Indian news outlets have also reported that the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has come forward to sponsor Kumari's education.