FLAGGING OFF PARA-CYCLING EXPEDITION “INFINITY RIDE 2020”
FROM KASHMIR TO KANYAKUMARI
Humhama (Srinagar) November 19, 2020
Border Security Force is organizing a Para-Cycling expedition “Infinity Ride 2020”, in association with
Aditya Mehta Foundation, which commenced from Srinagar (J&K) on 19 November 2020 and will
culminate at Southern tip of India- Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) on 31 December 2020. It was flagged off by
Shri Rakesh Asthana, IPS, Director General BSF on 19 November 2020 at 0915 hours, in the presence of
various other civil dignitaries from State Government and NGOs.
This expedition is a part of national campaign to psychologically empower BSF’s operational amputees and
other Divyangjan (specially abled). This inspiring venture is being conducted under the aegis of BSF’s
Divyang Skill Deveopment Centre (DSDC), New Delhi. A total of 28 participants are taking part in the
3800km plus cycling, traversing the entire country. All the BSF Divyang riders underwent pre-expedition
training at BSF Institute of Adventure & Advance Training (BIAAT), Dehradun (Uttrakhand).
Adit Mehta Foundation (AMF) has been a pioneer in raising awareness about para-sports in every nook and
cranny of India. Seven years ago, BSF was the first and only organization which came forward to support
AMF’s vision and started working for the cause of para-sports, when Shri Aditya Mehta rode alone from
Kashmir to Kanyakumari. As a result, AMF with the help of BSF started working for all the CAPF to
rehabilitate and train their Divyangjan and BSF launched its first Divyang Skill Development Center,
Chhawla, New Delhi with the help of AMF. In a very short time of five years, with the funds raised, AMF
has been able to help around 180 para-athletes with various prosthetics and sports equipment and also
financial assistance. So far, the members of the extended family of the organization have won around 90
International medals in various championships for India.The first ever international medal for Divyangjan in BSF was won by Harindar Singh, a below knee amputee
who lost his leg in a mine blast, while serving the country. He won a Bronze each in Asian Para Cycling
Championship 2017 and 2018. Gurlal Singh, who also lost a limb in a mine blast, won a Bronze each at
Asian Para Cycling Championship 2019 and Asian Games Track Cycling. Sudhakar Marathe, bilateral
amputee, also won a bronze in Hand cycling in Asian Cycling Championship 2019. Amar Santra, who is
visually impaired, won 2 silver medals and one gold in National para-swimming championship. BSF is the
only CAPF who has won medals for India.
BSF believes in AMF’s cause of making Divyangjan earn their dignity through sports and reaching more
people through-out India. To raise awareness, BSF in collaboration with AMF has been organizing the
Infinity Ride every year, since 2015:
Infinity Ride 2015 – Bangalore to Hyderabad
Infinity Ride 2016 – Manali to Khardung La
Prelude Infinity Ride 2017 – Attari (Amritsar) to Delhi
Martyr Ride 2017 – Delhi to Mumbai
Infinity Ride 2017 – Hyderabad to Triupati
Infinity Ride 2018 – Shimla to Manali
Infinite Ride 2019 (ITBP) – Dehradun to Mana Pass, Chamoli (BSF participated in it)
In the current Infinity Ride also, a support staff including additional riders, medical officers,
physiotherapists, prosthesis and other administrative entities are also accompanying the expedition for safe
and smooth journey. After starting off from Srinagar, the cyclists will make halts at Banihal, Udhampur,
Jammu (J&K), Madhopur, Kharkan (Punab), Chandigarh, Karnal, Saboli (Haryana), Noida (UP), New
Delhi, Mathura (UP), Dholpur (Raj.), Tekanpur (MP), Jhansi (UP), Lalitpur, Saugor, Narsinghpur, Seoni
(MP), Nagpur, Hinganghat, (Maharashtra) Karenji, Adilabad, Nirmal, Kamareddy, Hyderabad,
Mahbubnagar (Telangana), Kurnool, Gooty, Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) Chikkaballapur,
Yelahanka/Bengaluru (Karnataka), Dharmapuri, Karur, Madurai and Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) before
touching Kanyakumari.
