T. Srinivasa Rao and R. Gnanasekaran (born c. 1963), popularly known as the Twins of Pondicherry, are Indian twin brothers from Puducherry who became internationally renowned for their series of seven global odysseys dedicated to world peace and environmental conservation. Between 1986 and 2010, they undertook expeditions across more than 120 countries and covered over 600,000 km, often traveling in modest vehicles such as bicycles, a Maruti Gypsy, Maruti Zen, and later Hyundai models.
Their journeys earned them recognition as grassroots ambassadors of peace and environmental awareness. They consistently concluded their missions by presenting reports to successive United Nations Secretaries-General, including Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon.
The twins were born into a family of freedom fighters. Their parents actively resisted British and French colonial rule in Puducherry and were imprisoned for their activism. Their mother supported the family by working in a local textile mill. Inspired by their parents' sacrifices, the brothers resolved early in life to dedicate themselves to causes larger than their personal welfare.
The Twins of Pondicherry have undertaken seven major global odysseys since 1986, each devoted to peace or environmental causes.