A Nepalese citizen, Hem Raj Paudel, intending to tour the whole world to spread the message of peace and harmony, reached Lahore on bicycle.
Paudel started his journey from the Nepalese city of Lumbini and went to the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. He then went on to New Dehli ,Ludhyana and Jalandhar finally reaching Lahore via Wagah Border a few days ago. He claimed to have completed the journey in 25 days and said he would leave for Iran in the next few days to continue his world tour.
36-year-old Paudel said he received an overwhelming response during the journey, especially in Pakistan as people gave him food and other stuff and showed immense hospitality.
While talking to Pakistan Today, he said he lost his bag in India and was in search of a sponsor for the bag. He said he was dependent on people for his accommodation and food and that the people were supportive to his cause. He asked to end imperialism in the world and said that the United States, India and Israel were the cause of disturbance and must end atrocities around the world. He said these countries spent billions of dollars on arms but were hesitant to invest in the welfare of the poor.
He said there were times when he had to get his food from garbage as he had no money and reiterated that same poverty prevailed in the world. He said the rich should support the poor, whether it was states or individuals.
Paudel said Nepalese had a great regard for Pakistan. He said he was a farmer and had a son back in Nepal. He said hitch-hiking was his passion as he had traveled to Bangladesh and Bhutan on cycle last year. He said despite problems on the way, he remained firm on his peace mission. He said he left his home with only Rs 100 and three bags in which he carried a sleeping bag, some clothes and a camping tent.
Paudel thanked the officials of the Mall View Hotel at the upper Mall on providing him accommodation. He wished to accomplish his peace mission by completing the world tour and hoped that media would help support his cause.
