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Indian globe-trotter

DUSHANBE: An Indian globe-trotter, who has walked across 61 countries in 13 years, was set on Friday to embark on the next leg of his marathon hike, out of the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan and into Afghanistan.

Proclaiming "peace, friendship and solidarity," the 35-year-old Vikas Singh has already travelled through South East Asia, China, Mongolia, the Balkans, Europe, Russia and other CIS countries.

"I entered Tajikistan from Kyrgizia in September and now I am waiting for permission to enter Afghanistan," Singh told journalists. "I came to the USSR in 1991 from Mongolia and witnessed the crumbling of a huge state. I saw the reunification of Germany, the war in the Balkans in the mid-90s, Hong Kong becoming a part of China and now I've seen peaceful elections in Tajikistan," Singh said.

"I see many cultural and historical similarities between Tajikistan and my home country".

Singh left India in 1987 and headed east. Walking an average of 10-15 kilometres per day he has managed to cover 75,000 kilometres overland. His constant companion is a three-wheel cart that carries 200 kilogrammes of luggage consisting of food and clothes.

The enigmatic wanderer is often joined by others in his journey around the world.ÑAFP