MUZAFFARNAGAR: On a world tour to spread the message of clean environment, 31-year-old Spanish environmentalist Yesenia Herrera Febles had a narrow escape when her bicycle was hit by a car due low visibility caused by “severe” air pollution in the district.However, if the accident and the “alarming” level of pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) left the environmentalist disheartened, the hospitality of the people of the region put smile back on her face.After criss-crossing 12 nations on her bicycle, Yesenia reached Delhi a few days ago. From the national capital, she set off for Rishikesh on the bicycle a few days ago.On Wednesday evening, as she entered Muzaffarnagar city, a car hit her bicycle from behind. Yesenia, a nurse by profession, escaped unhurt. However, the rim and tyre of the bicycle were completely damaged.Gasping for breath, Yesenia, stood up and collected all her belongings. The help also came within minutes as several passersby gathered at the spot. A local family offered refuge to Yesenia at their home. As the bicycle was imported, its parts were not available in any of the city stores. It was then the Spaniard was introduced to ‘jugaad’ culture of the rural belt.The family approached a local welder, Anish Ahmed, who repaired the wheel and did not charge for it.“It was a tough task as the bicycle was foreign-made and parts were not available here. But we fixed it somehow,” said the mechanic.Yesenia spent the Diwali night with the family, and left for Rishikesh the next day.Vishal Kumar, the local businessman who sheltered Yesenia, said: “Initially we could not understand what she was saying. But, soon, we started communicating with her. The bicycle parts were not available here, so she called the company. But the firm asked for three days to send the parts. So we took the bicycle to a local repair centre. It was fixed and the mechanic refused to take money.She stayed with my family on Wednesday night”On Thursday evening, as she readied for the next leg of the tour, the Kumar family gave her packed food for the journey.When contacted, Yesenia said: “I am riding the bicycle for the last one-and-a-half year and have visited more than 12 countries. Bicycle is a cheap and easy way to travel, and that too without causing pollution. I can approach people easily. My purpose is to understand culture of different countries, and spread the message of clean environment. People here are nice, especially the villagers. I got all the held I needed.”When asked about the purpose of her tour, she said: “I am cycling to make people aware about the importance of clean environment. I don’t have a final destination.”

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