I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there is a day dedicated to bicycle – 3rd June. And why not? Bicycle, after all, is an important part of life – the first independent mode of transport for a child, irrespective of the economic strata. As bullock carts were for long distances, bicycle was the easiest and most convenient mode of transport for short spins. In villages, bicycles are still one of the most important ways to commute. Being an environment-friendly means of transport and promoting a healthy lifestyle are additional advantages that bicycles offer besides pure nostalgia, even in developed nations.
Being brought up in a village, I knew of no other vehicle except bicycle. As a child, when I was in school which was around 7 kilometres away, I would walk down. While coming back I had to purchase some groceries or essentials for home and neighbours. I would carry it in my hands and walk such long distances. Occasionally, I would ride a friend’s bicycle, take him as a pillion to school. We didn’t have money to buy a bicycle. My mother understood that I needed one without which I had to face lot of pain of walking in the sun, carrying heavy bags of essentials and school bag after long tiring days at school. Unlike these days, where Hon’ble Chief Minister provides free bicycles to the students in rural areas, especially girls, we weren’t given such assistance.
I vividly remember the story we had in Odia Literature on Mo Cycle (My Cycle) about the evolution and origins of cycle as it is in its present form. From the ones which are functional, to gear fitted and advanced cycles, there has been a definite improvement in the look and function of the cycles.
I still remember that my elder brother had sent a saree for my mother from Jamshedpur. My mother sold it at Rs 50 and bought me a second hand Norton cycle. That was a day of joy for me. I was so happy that Maa got me a cycle and understood how dear it will be as Maa sold her saree to a neighbour and bought it for me. Maa for once, didn’t show her sacrifice. My joy knew no bounds and I was glad that even I had a cycle like my friends.
This was when I was in Grade VII. It made my life easy. Going to school and running errands became much easier for me. Sometimes I would take Maa or Iti as a pillion rider as well. When I reached Grade X, Maa got me another cycle after saving each pie – Hercules Cycle. I remember it had a basket in front and I used to keep my books there while going to high school.
When we were getting a cement wall done at our homestead in Kalarabanka, for which Maa had to run from pillar to post, I would carry bags of cement on the seat of my Hercules Cycle and get it home because we didn’t have spare money to give it to the civil contractor who would often inflate the price. It was immensely tough to bring those cement bags and push the cycle for more than five kilometres.
When I was in Bhubaneswar during college, and then lectureship and setting up of KIIT & KISS, I never used a bicycle. What I so dearly wanted once in life, I was not interested in it. I used to take town bus for commute or just walk ten kilometres daily. Then I purchased a second hand Hero Honda Sleek in which I would ride 25-30 kilometres per day while establishing KIIT & KISS during it’s formative years.
Nowadays also I don’t get to ride a bicycle except for rare occasions but I like it even today. My heart is still in a village – the river, the friends, the cool evening breeze, the warm sun, silent roads, running errands and going to school and cycling back to nostalgic times.
It reminds me the student life in a village. A cycle used to be a gift to children when they complete highschool. I also very much witnessed that the men of my father’s age used to get cycles as dowery. Now a days gear cycles are loved by youngsters …so cycle always has its demand and recognition beyond generations……
Awesome write up. Such sweet memories linked to cycle.
I think you should restore the passion to ride cycle now again to lead across all generations, Sir
Namaskar. Some time I also ride cycle. all the work which has been done by dr achyut samant sir. All work dedicated to society. Most of the peoples got Inspired by dr samant sir. I am a path follower of dr samant sir. Dr samant sir always shows right path to society.
I inspired from my Grandfather..he used to go every where in his bicycle…Those days were really golden days
Nostalgic I remember my first cycle in school My parents bought me a bicycle when I was in class 7 but I was afraid to ride it lest I fall down my maternal uncle once when he came to our house took me to ride the bicycle which had two supports on both sides in a couple of days with the supports I used to learn cycling till the day when my uncle removed the supports and asked me to cycle assuring me he was on my side With that confidence I cycled on and on and when I looked back I saw my uncle waving at me There I was confidently cycling on….
A wonderful blog Sir. Indeed our first bicycle holds a special place in our heart. Thank you for sharing your experiences, which I am sure must have taken the readers to a trip down the memory lane of their own childhood.
Warm regards?
Awesome write up. Such sweet memories linked to cycle.
Riding second hand bicycle and second hand motor cycle u had passed your child hood and young age. But the thought of urs from that vehicle makes it easy for thosands of young of our country to lead a comfortable and also luxurious life.
Sir,very nice heart touching real story
Sir,very nice real story
Sir Very nice blog and heart touching real story.
Bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. On this World Bicycle Day, let’s try to make bicycles a part of our lifestyle.
Let’s not go back to old habits. Let’s use a Bicycle to reduce traffic, stress, improve health, air quality and renew our cities.
The Bicycle has a soul.If u succeed to love it.
It will give u emotions that u will never forget.
A man of simplicity.pride of odisha and India.truely son of the soil
Great Job Sir. You are always best in every field to help other,This is one more milestone reached in the subject of use of cycling.I am not perfect in cycling per aap ko dekh kar practice karunga & join you next year.
Very nice Sir. Bicycle racing is a sourse of fun and Bicycle riding is also good for health.
Awesome story sir, I also have some beautiful memories of cycle riding and thanks to remind those sweet childhood things….
This is one more achievement added in your good jobs done by you in past I am not comfort in cycling but aap ko dekh kar I will practice & join you next year.Wonder full Sir Keep it up.
The Bicycle is a Simple Solution to some of the World’s most complicated problems.
#Bicycle
This one runs on fat and
Saves U money.
Very nice sir
Superb Story
#Bicycle
This one runs on fat and
Saves U money.
Great Sir. A man of honesty and simplicity, proud of Odisha and India. Really an inspiration story.
Great Sir. I have a cycle also. I use the cycle on weekends. I always inspired by you.
have a cycle also. I use the cycle on weekends. I always inspired by you.
You are God to many. Your selfless service and care for the deprived and the unprivileged infact for all making you so special and unique. Your every activities are inspiring and motivational to many. . All the write ups are emotional and heart touching. You are simply great Sir???
Thank you so much sir for sharing your struggle time cycle story on International cycle day. Your each blog I read sir, brings more and more respect for you sir. God bless you. We are thankful to Lord Jagganath for sending you for the help of so many lakhs of deprived people on Earth.
Proud of u sir , great personality ??
बच्चा, बूढ़ा या जवान हो; गरीब हो या अमीर; ग्रामीण क्षेत्र हो या शहरी, साइकिल का अपना एक विशिष्ट स्थान है। शौकिया तौर पर, एक्सरसाइज के रूप में, बिना किसी लागत के अपने गन्तव्य स्थान तक जाने के लिए साइकिल का एक महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। साइकिल हर कोई अफोर्ड कर सकता है। स्वास्थ्य, पर्यावरण, दुर्घटना इत्यादि हर एक दृष्टिकोण से यह एक सुलभ और आसान साधन है। बचपन से लेकर बुढ़ापे तक इसकी मांग सर्वदा बनी रहती है। आपके बचपन की कारुणिक कथा में साइकिल तक खरीदने में अक्षम होने की घटना कितना मर्मस्पर्शी है? माँ की ममता कितनी महान है कि बड़े भाई द्वारा भेजी गयी साड़ी को बेचकर उन्होंने अपने छोटे बेटे की आवश्यकता की पूर्ति की, जो कि आपकी आवश्यकता की पूर्ति के साथ-साथ घर के कार्यों में भी सहायक सिद्ध हुई। आपकी भावनाएँ कितनी पावन और महान है, इस लेख से दर्शित होता है। कोटि-कोटि नमन!
Your Memories r a real treasure worth a billion dollar inspiration to the society…….
Bicycle as a Transport, if analyzed for the cost-benefit analysis for rural development, has given one of the best returns in this regard. For example, road investments in India were a staggering 3–10 times more effective than almost all other investments and subsidies in rural economy in the decade of the 1990s. What a road does at a macro level to increase transport, the BICYCLE supports at the micro level.
As I am presently using bicycle for traveling to Vegetable vendors or for taking my medication,I have understood it’s value. Secondly, during the Pandamic period the police is cooperating for non vehicle users. Pandamic has been a boon for individual rather than a bane.
Best mode of transport and healthy lifestyle
Absolutely nostalgic! This is one prop which every generation can relate to and has stories attached to. A generation that has gone to a generation thats coming, bi-cycles have played a crucial role in our lives, be it late APJ Kalam who used to transport rocket materials or be it a 3 year old kid who asks for a turbo cycle or the teen stories. I doubt there will be anyone who has no stories attached to it.
Unlike these days where frames are customized as per height, those days it was only Raleigh, Atlas or Hercules…and for many it was half-cycle where one can’t sit on the cycle seat but will have to put one leg between the frames and ride..until he/she gains height. I doubt if we will ever see those scenes as the new height adjustable cycles have eliminated those difficulties.
Not sure how many of us can recollect the child seat on the cycles, those were the story telling places for our journey.
In those days no one was cycling to remain fit but to survive or commute, now it has become more of a fitness equipment.
Thanks to Sir, for these blogs where one can cherish and rekindle our memories.
It reminds me my childhood days. Thank you for sharing beautiful article.
Cycling is a low impact aerobic exercise that offers a wealth of benefits. It also varies in intensity, so it’s suitable for all levels. You can cycle as a mode of transportation, for casual activity, or as an intense, competitive endeavor. It is really a meaningful article thanks for sharing.