The urge to do
something different in life is strong in some people. For the general lot, life is just meant
to be lived from day to day. For those who want to make a difference, it is a
battle fighting against the general attitude of devil may care.
Rakesh Sharma was
living a life like any other but observing the behaviour of others while on a
holiday in Nepal changed his perspective. A trained astrologist, he had
witnessed the general attitude of people to the corruption in daily life. Many
preferred to moan and not do anything about it. Rakesh said “I was in Kathmandu
staying in the hotel and I learned that there was British lady in her 70’s who
was here to do some social work. There was a 19-year-old German national who
was there to help a 15-year-old Nepali boy get on with his life. There were
others like these two staying in the hotel. I asked myself, what was it I
wanted to do with my life. Complain like the rest or do something and make
positive change. I decided I want to be the agent of change”.
He decided to address
a subject that had effect on various aspects of life in India. The gradual
disappearance of the cycle from daily life. In 1954, more than 57% of people
living in cities in India used to commute on bicycles, according to data
published by The Energy and Research Institute. Two decades ago, one-third of
the commuting in 80 Indian cities was by bicycle. Today, less than 6%-8% of
people use cycles to commute in urban areas. Rakesh said this had manifested
itself people moving on to motor cycles. He said “I decided I need to speak to
atleast a lakh of my countrymen across various states about the benefits of
using a cycle. Its health benefits and its general advantages in daily life.
Soldiers told me how they trained to get into the army by cycling hours on the
cycle and once, they got in how they forgot about the cycle. I spoke to young
boys about cycling and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and
how this activity would help them”.
When he talked about
his plans to his wife and two kids, he said “My wife and kids were very proud
that I was going to do something positive for the country. I was looking to
initiate change instead of just sitting, looking and criticising”. He however
said it was not easy with friends, relatives and even those in the community
questioning the logic behind this move. He said “They were clear, they said
these actions had to be initiated by the Government and it was not the job of
the private citizen and this would dishearten me but then my wife and kids and
the general encouragement of people would steer me on”.
He follows certain
guidelines while on the road. As soon as it touches 5 to 5.30 in the evening,
he starts looking for a place to spend the night. He says the light fades away
very fast in the evening and he has to move fast. There have been times when
even at 8 o clock in the night, he has not managed accommodation but invariably
someone always helps out. Describing an evening he said “I was in the middle of
a jungle at 7 o clock in the evening and there was no one around. I then
realised I was being watched by a man who was very eccentrically dressed. He
also had a very large grin on his face. He called out to me and asked if I
needed help. I was scared and ignored him. He then in the sweetest voice asked
me again if I needed his help. I said yes and he pointed out to three
structures and suggested I choose one. One of them was designed like a
gurudwara and I spend the night there. There was no electricity but the food
was good. I have stayed in seven to eight Gurudwaras and other places too and
have never faced any problems”. People, he said had always stepped in and
helped and at times had also helped him by putting him up in hotels.
He also had much to
say about the driving skills of his fellow countrymen. Rakesh bemoaned the fact
that the high beam light was treated like regular light instead of a last
option. Scores of accidents could be avoided, if the drivers, he said would use
the lights better.
Now
in Goa, he will be cycling with an eye on Kanyakumari. He hopes to reach people
there later this month and gather their views and express his views on the
importance of using cycles. He said “We live once, can we at least live it
healthily”.
