A heroic, 7-day bike ride made this teen a global star. Where is she now?

Oct 11, 2026 · Kamala Thiagarajan

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

A heroic, 7-day bike ride made this teen a global star. Where is she now?

Jyoti Kumari holds a photo of her dad, Mohan Paswan. She became a global celebrity after news spread of her 700-mile bicycle ride, carrying her injured father on her bicycle, to get him to their village. Promises were made to reward her heroic feat. Were they kept?

Her epic ride — carrying her injured dad on her $20 hot pink bicycle — made headlines. Promises were made — financial help, training for a cycling career, even a movie deal. Were any of them kept?

(Image credit: Deepak Paswan)