The Hindu : New Delhi News : Cycling for peace

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 16, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Cycling for peace

Staff Reporter

“Each day I cycle 70 to 90 km as I have to complete my world tour”

Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Qobin in Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: He is on a mission to explore the world in 360 days. Twenty-five-year-old Malaysian Muhamad Muqharabbin, fondly known as Qobin, is cycling around the globe to spread the message of peace.

Qobin first came into the limelight when he scaled Mount Everest at the age of 22 in 2004 -- and he has not looked back ever since. After preparing himself for the current expedition on bicycle, Qobin embarked on the mission from Los Angeles on July 12 this year.

To start the Asia leg of his expedition, Qobin cycled around the historic India Gate here on Thursday morning. “I took up the formidable challenge to cycle across 22 countries covering an estimated distance of 25,000 km to 27,000 km to get my name in the record books,” he said.

Revealing that he will traverse through Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kolkata and Chennai during his month-long stay in India, Qobin said: “Each day I cycle 70 to 90 km as I have to complete my world tour within a stipulated period. India is the 13th country I am currently crossing on my journey to set the world record.”

Qobin will also cycle across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan and Singapore. Through his adventurous expedition Qobin wants to not only spread the message of peace but also generate funds for ailing cancer patients. An adventure consultant by profession, Qobin is also the author of two bi-lingual English and Malaysian books, ‘Journey to Everest’ and ‘From Peak to Peak’. Besides holding a business management degree Qobin was always into sports.

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