'Pedaling for Peace' has acquired a unique identity of its own in Jammu and Kashmir in the last eight years. To see 2, 264 cyclists (of all age groups) taking part in a seven-category race in Srinagar on Friday gladdened the heart for what better way is there to motivate Gen Next Kashmiris than through sports. Leading this initiative to wean the youth away from social evils like drug addiction, radical and militant activity was J&K Police in general and its armoured unit in particular. Children (including a two-and-a-half year-old) and adults of various age groups took part in Cycle Race-2022 on two routes -- from Lalit Ghat (near the Police Golf Course) to Nagbal Chowk via Foreshore Road and from Lalit Ghat to Harwan via Shalimar. Channelising the energies of the youth in a positive direction for the betterment of a society long ravaged by terrorism and under-development has been in mission mode in J&K under the leadership of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. That the onerous responsibility for realising this aim has been placed on J&K Police speaks volumes about the police leadership headed by DGP Dilbag Singh and others in the UT administration. Victorious bicyclists looked happy and attributed the success of the three-hour-long civic action event to the hard work and focus of the police force. DGP Singh’s underlying message that, “We want to make every section of Kashmiri society our partners for peace” leaves an impact. Laying the foundation for peace, brotherhood, communal harmony, happiness and love, besides promoting activism in sports is noble in every sense. The UT administration deserves wholesome praise for using its “My Youth, My Pride” Scheme to overhaul Kashmiri society for the better. Building resilience among the youth has long been recognised as a key enabler for sustainable development around the world. Friday’s cycle race supports the premise that sports always serves as an effective platform to not only counter radical ideologies, but also address its root causes.