In pics : Rural India’s lifeline – bicycles

In rural India, bicycles are indispensable, providing essential transportation for work, school and leisure, come rain or shine. They are the true lifelines, ensuring mobility and connectivity.

On a crisp winter morning a man commutes to work by bicycle, accompanied by a street dog trotting beside him. (Photo by Indra

A determined girl pedals her bicycle to tuition in Birbhum, West Bengal. (Photo by Soumyadeep Bhattacharjee)

A rainy retreat – Amidst a monsoon downpour, a man cycles along a solitary road in Joda, Odisha. (Photo by Shubham Parida)

In Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, a teenager proudly waves the Indian flag in a field set against the dramatic backdrop of a cloudy evening. (Photo by Majidur Sardar)

A man crosses a tricky bamboo bridge with his bicycle across a small water body. (Photo by Indranil Saha)

In Dumka, Jharkhand, a stunning sunset is perfectly framed through the bicycle. (Photo by Parag S)

The lead photo on top shows a boy pedalling through lush fields, framed by the stunning landscape of rural West Bengal. (Photo by Payel Benrjee)