The Twins of Pondicherry

T. Srinivasa Rao and R. Gnanasekaran
T.Srinivasa Rao (left) and R.Gnanasegaran during one of their expeditions
Bornc. 1963
Puducherry, India
OccupationsEnvironmental activists, peace ambassadors
Years active1986–2010
Known forSeven global expeditions to raise awareness for peace and environmental issues

T. Srinivasa Rao and R. Gnanasekaran (born c. 1963), popularly known as the Twins of Pondicherry, are Indian twin brothers from Puducherry who became internationally renowned for their series of seven global odysseys dedicated to world peace and environmental conservation. Between 1986 and 2010, they undertook expeditions across more than 120 countries and covered over 600,000 km, often traveling in modest vehicles such as bicycles, a Maruti Gypsy, Maruti Zen, and later Hyundai models.[1]

Their journeys earned them recognition as grassroots ambassadors of peace and environmental awareness. They consistently concluded their missions by presenting reports to successive United Nations Secretaries-General, including Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan[2] and Ban Ki-moon.

Early life

The twins were born into a family of freedom fighters. Their parents actively resisted British and French colonial rule in Puducherry and were imprisoned for their activism. Their mother supported the family by working in a local textile mill.[3] Inspired by their parents' sacrifices, the brothers resolved early in life to dedicate themselves to causes larger than their personal welfare.

Expeditions

The Twins of Pondicherry have undertaken seven major global odysseys since 1986, each devoted to peace or environmental causes.

Years Vehicle Mission Distance Covered Start / Flag-off Countries Covered Key Milestones UN / Leader Meetings
1986–1989 Bicycles Nuclear disarmament & World Peace ~50,000 km Flagged off by M. G. Ramachandran in New Delhi[4] 41 First bicycle tour across Asia, Europe, N. America; received "Indian Peace Cyclists Day" honour in Kentucky Met Javier Pérez de Cuéllar at UN (1988)[5]
1990–1993 Maruti Gypsy Environmental awareness, afforestation, global warming ~160,000 km Flagged off by PM V. P. Singh (1990)[6] 70 First Indian car expedition to 70 countries; crossed five continents Met Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg (1992)[7]

Met Boutros Boutros-Ghali at UN (1993)

1996–1998 Maruti Zen "Save Antarctica" – highlight vulnerability of polar regions ~55,000 km Flagged off by PM H. D. Deve Gowda (1996)[8] ~30 Drove across South America; visited Chilean and Argentine Antarctic bases Meetings with scientists; message submitted to UN
2000–2002 Maruti Gypsy "Save the Planet" – sustainable development, ecosystems ~100,000 km Flagged off by President K. R. Narayanan (2000)[9] 60+ Survived desert ordeal in Australian outback[10] Presented report to Kofi Annan (2001)
2003–2004 Maruti Gypsy "Mission Save Earth" – climate change & sustainable living ~50,000 km Flagged off by CM J. Jayalalithaa (2003)[11] 40+ Petition campaign with thousands of global signatures Submitted petition to UN in New York (2004)
2005–2007 Hyundai Accent "Save the Rainforest" – tropical conservation ~50,000 km Flagged off by President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2005)[12] 35+ Collaborated with Greenpeace and WWF projects in Amazonia[13] Advocacy presentations at UN side-events
2008–2010 Hyundai Tucson "Stop Global Warming" – global climate change campaign ~100,000 km Flagged off by PM Manmohan Singh (2008)[14] 30–50 Culminated at the UN Earth Summit, New York Delivered global warming petition to Ban Ki-moon at UN (2010)[15]
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran meeting Tamilnadu Chief Minister Mr. M.G.Ramachandiran
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran met Mr. Jyoti Basu, the then Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran meeting with Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Secretary General UNO
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran meeting with Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary General UNO
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran meeting with Kofi Annan, Secretary General UNO
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran meeting Tamilnadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi
  • T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Gnanasegaran meeting Tamilnadu Chief Minister Selvi J. Jayalalitha
  • Hon'ble Pondicherry Chief Minister Mr. N. Rangasamy addressing a Meeting. Seen Twins T.Srinivasa Rao and R.Ganansekaran, Lt. Governor Rajendra Kumari Bajpai and the then Hon'ble Education Minister Mr. A. Gandhiraj

Legacy

  • Declared "Indian Peace Cyclists Day" in Kentucky, USA.[16]
  • Received honorary citizenships in several U.S. cities.[17]
  • Awarded ceremonial keys to cities such as Austin and Santiago.[18]
  • Authored the book Mission Save Earth (2001).[19]
  • Met four successive UN Secretary-Generals and presented reports of their missions.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Pondicherry twins travel the world for peace". The Hindu. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Indian twins present environmental petition at UN". United Nations Press Centre. 2001. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  3. ^ Raman, K. (1995). Unsung Patriots of Puducherry. Oxford University Press. p. 143.
  4. ^ "Peace cyclists flagged off by MGR". The Hindu. 16 August 1986.
  5. ^ "Pondicherry twins meet UN chief". Times of India. 3 October 1988.
  6. ^ "PM launches Save Earth mission". Indian Express. 12 May 1990.
  7. ^ "Mandela meets Pondicherry twins". The Hindu. 20 July 1992.
  8. ^ "Save Antarctica drive launched". The Hindu. 18 August 1996.
  9. ^ "President flags off Save the Planet mission". The Hindu. 4 January 2000.
  10. ^ "Twins survive desert ordeal in Australia". The Times of India. 11 June 2001.
  11. ^ "Jayalalithaa launches twins' world mission". The Hindu. 14 February 2003.
  12. ^ "President Kalam flags off rainforest mission". The Hindu. 20 March 2005.
  13. ^ "Indian twins join hands with Greenpeace". Greenpeace International. 2006.
  14. ^ "Manmohan Singh launches Stop Global Warming odyssey". Times of India. 12 September 2008.
  15. ^ "Global warming petition delivered to UN Secretary-General". United Nations Chronicle. 2010.
  16. ^ "Kentucky honours Pondicherry twins". The Hindu. 5 May 1991. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Honorary citizenship for Indian twins in Austin". Times of India. 22 June 1991. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  18. ^ "City of Santiago awards key to Indian activists". The Hindu. 18 October 1992. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  19. ^ Rao, T. Srinivasa (2001). Mission Save Earth. Penguin India.
  20. ^ "Pondicherry brothers present report to UN". United Nations Press Release. 2002. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
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