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For the love of Puducherry

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

young at heart: Cyclist Simon Govindapoulle distributes writing material to students of Veeramamunivar Government School in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: Seventy-year-old Simon Govindapoulle is very young at heart, which is perhaps why he likes to give generously to children in Puducherry. Once in two years, this resident of Issoudun in France returns to the town where he spent his childhood and spends time with the children of various schools and orphanages, distributing stationery items.

“I first started when the tsunami came. There was a need for such things and a lot of people gave me money and stationery items to bring back to Puducherry. But this time, though there was no such calamity, contributions weighing about 15 kg came to me and I brought them over here,” explained Mr. Simon, who belongs to an organisation called Association Decouvrir le Plus Loin.

He distributed stationery items at various schools, including Veeramamunivar Government High School, Thiru Vi Ka Government High School and Thiruvalluvar Government Girls Higher Secondary School. “I also buy items from my own pocket and bring them here. This is my way of giving back to Puducherry.” He worked with JIPMER before leaving for France in 1982.

Mr. Simon has another side to him. Every year, for the past 17 years, this frail-looking man has covered 3,000 km on his bicycle.

Travelling across different countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland, he collects signatures from people there.

“I started my cycle expedition in1994 when I travelled through France. Every day I would cover about 150 km, riding through mountains. I would be warmly welcomed by the locals. Many friends sponsor my journey across different countries. So I buy post cards and write to them thanking them for their encouragement and support.”

He plans to visit Turkey next year.

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