A government primary school teacher from Chhattisgarh has undertaken an extraordinary journey, transforming India's most iconic highway network into a moving platform for social change. By cycling nearly 6,000 kilometers along the Golden Quadrilateral, he carried powerful messages of clean air, addiction-free living, and better public health to the nation.
From Classroom Educator to Nationwide Campaigner
The story centers on 43-year-old Santosh Gupta, a science and social studies teacher posted at the Government Primary School in Sulpha, Mungeli district, since 2011. What began as a personal choice evolved into a massive, self-powered national awareness campaign. Over recent years, Gupta quietly transformed from an everyday educator into an ultra-cyclist and grassroots campaigner, proving that impactful movements can start with a single bicycle and unwavering purpose, far from the corridors of power.
On the road, his lessons shifted to climate responsibility, discipline, and healthy living. A familiar and striking sight on highways, Gupta rode wearing a helmet with a small tricolour attached to his handlebar—an ordinary citizen demonstrating extraordinary resolve.
The Grueling 6000-Kilometer Mission
His latest mission traced the Golden Quadrilateral, the massive highway network connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. Starting from central India, Gupta rode through multiple states, often covering over 200 km a day. He battled intense summer heat, heavy traffic near major cities, and long, desolate stretches where trucks were his only companions after sunset. The journey demanded immense physical endurance and mental resilience.
Unlike organized endurance events, Gupta's ride was entirely self-supported. He carried basic essentials on his cycle and relied on roadside dhabas, fuel stations, and small eateries to rest, eat, and refill water. Each halt became an impromptu outreach point. Curious onlookers—truck drivers, labourers, policemen, and children—would gather, and Gupta would seize those moments to talk about pollution, substance abuse, and the simple but powerful benefits of cycling.
A Record-Setting Journey for a Cause
"Looking at rising pollution, lifestyle diseases, and the growing number of road accidents, I decided in 2021 to make cycling an integral part of my life," Gupta explained. "I resolved to use a bicycle as my main mode of transport and to use it as a tool to create awareness."
This was not his first epic ride. In 2024, he cycled from Jammu to Leh–Ladakh, conquering the treacherous ascent to Khardung La, the world's highest motorable pass, to spread messages of "Save Nature" and a drug-free India to remote regions.
His dedication culminated in a monumental achievement in 2025. "I completed the Golden Quadrilateral in just over 24 days, setting a Guinness World Record and surpassing the previous mark of 27 days," he stated proudly. This record is a testament to his physical prowess and the urgency of his mission.
Santosh Gupta's story is a powerful reminder that individual action can ignite widespread awareness. Using India's highways as his classroom, he has pedaled a message of hope, health, and responsibility directly to the people, one kilometer at a time.
