Schoolchildren welcome Zeno van der Zalm with the Tricolour on his arrival in Greater Noida

-Considers India his second home and has immense faith in Lord Shiva

Greater Noida: Zeno van der Zalm, a resident of The Hague in the Netherlands, popularly known as the “International City of Peace,” has come to India on a bicycle expedition to the Himalayas. A cyclist, engineer and special educator, Zeno travelled through Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal, Lakdakh, Leh, Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh before cycling back to Greater Noida on Wednesday morning, covered a distance of 2,500 kilometres. Upon reaching Grads International School, Eta-II, Greater Noida, he received a warm welcome.

Kanyakumari to Jammu and Ladakh

Schoolchildren greeted Zeno van der Zalm while carrying the Tricolour. School Principal Aditi Basu Roy and the entire school staff were present on the occasion. Three years ago, Zeno came to India to develop a device for children with special needs. During that visit, he was introduced to India’s rich art and culture, which inspired him to plan extensive journeys across the country. He subsequently travelled by bicycle from Kanyakumari to Jammu and Ladakh.

Speaking about his connection with India, Zeno said that he considers India his second home. He said his ancestors left India as indentured labourers. He expressed his deep admiration for India’s art and culture and said he had received immense love and affection from the people of India.

Zeno said that after coming to India, he developed deep devotion towards Lord Shiva. He is also learning Hindi and studying Sanskrit shlokas and other aspects of the language and culture. Recalling his journey through Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, he said he witnessed many experiences and places that were difficult to put into words. School Principal Aditi Basu Roy said Zeno began his journey on July 23, 2026, from Grads International School, Eta-II, Greater Noida. After travelling through Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal, Lakdakh, Leh, Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, he returned to Greater Noida by bicycle on Wednesday morning. Zeno van der Zalm is a Dutch educator, special educator and adventurer from The Hague. He conducted research at Grads International School and in 2024 developed a prototype device called the “Talking Box” for children experiencing loneliness, autism and depression.

Zeno van der Zalm

In 2025, he undertook an extraordinary solo bicycle journey of 3,000 kilometres across India, beginning from Trivandrum and ending at Grads International School in Greater Noida. This year, he returned to the school on July 20 and set out on July 23 for Shimla, cycling via Baghpat and Chandigarh to cover a distance of 2,500 kilometres. Zeno is scheduled to leave for Amsterdam on August 26, 2026.