UP's Kumari Priya leads cycle expedition to spread awareness on women's issues

Uttar Pradesh-based cyclist Kumari Priya, along with Pradeep Kumar, led a cycling expedition in Northeast India to raise awareness about plastic-free mountains, menstrual hygiene and health, and women's education. The expedition also aimed to promote women's tourism.

"We are India's first male and female cyclists covering Northeast India together on bicycles," said Priya, who is also a mountaineer.

"The expedition started in Gangtok (Sikkim) on February 18 and was flagged off by the Governor of Sikkim. It culminated at the India-Bangladesh border," added Priya, a Rani Laxmi Bai Awardee and Fit India Brand Ambassador.

The 3,500-kilometre-long expedition covered eight states -- Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal -- encompassing 53 districts and three international borders (Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal).

Now, Priya aims to undertake another cycling expedition, "Sea to Sky," from Mumbai to Everest Base Camp. In 2025, she plans to scale Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, and Mount Lhotse.

Priya dreams of building a Sports Climbing Wall Centre for youth interested in adventure sports, helping them prepare for the Olympics. She also runs two YouTube channels: Iron Mountain Girl and Solo Travel Tracker. Her Instagram handles are @offbeat_backpacker and @priyamountaineer.