Being a biker and a health-conscious person, I always keep a distance from all kinds of Tobacco products. I promote only those things which I personally believe in. So, I approached CPAA, Mumbai for an Anti Tobacco Ride.
In the initial meeting, the authorities liked my concept. Within a month, we planned everything and initiated the ride. As expected, the CPAA team was very enthusiastic about the ride. I shared the best route plan with them. Rest everything was well planned and arranged by the CPAA team. The ride was sponsored by Hindustan Petroleum & Aircel. One bike was courtesy TVS Motor Co. & the engine 0il for the bikes was sponsored by TVS TRU4. My ride was Hero Karizma and Vartika’s was TVS Apache 180.
For this ride I was looking for a co-rider, Vartika Pande (Law Student in 2010) joined me for this awareness ride. The route was the Golden Quadrilateral. Starting from Mumbai, to Jaipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, and back to Mumbai. The total kilometers were app. 7000 and the duration were 12 days. There was a backup team with us, which included one mechanic named Suresh Kumawat & two of my friends from Jaipur, Yogesh Bilunia & Harsh Mathuria. The backup team was traveling by Tavera.
Our mission was to spread cancer awareness among the youth along with the GQ. In various cities on our route we gave a presentation about the harmful effects of Tobacco to the students of schools and colleges.
We started our ride on 10th May 2010 from Worli Sealink, Mumbai, and ended the ride on 22nd May 2010.
In each city, Vartika and I made presentations in educational institutes on the dangers of tobacco and how it leads to cancer. We also distributed anti-cancer & anti-tobacco literature at these places. It was a privilege to contribute to such a noble cause.
Some difficulties during the ride:
The temperature in Delhi was 45 degrees Celcius and in Banda was 49 Celcius. Also, Cyclone Laila hit them along the east coast from Vizag to Chennai (night riding in the rain) and even Chennai to Bengaluru (night riding in the rain).
We gave the presentation in the below cities: Mumbai, Surat, Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar,
At every petrol pump we stopped to refuel, the HP officers were there, even at 02:00 a.m. and 03:00 a.m. and provided us food drinks and other comforts.
We really appreciate CPAA to support and sponsor our ride.
A ride for a cause is always fruitful!
