Bhubaneswar: There are many noble persons moving around who have heart of serving to people and India. Sharat Sharma from Delhi is like one of them. Wearing a leather jacket and riding on his 410 cc adventure bike, Sharat is traveling 29 states and its capitals, union territories and Bhutan with an aim to raise awareness about rash driving and traffic rules. Sharat reached Bhubaneswar June 25 and spreading the awareness message to every citizen.
He has planned to cover a distance of 28,000-kilometre in his solo trip covering 29 states with one purpose. He, who began journey from March 18 from Delhi, has already covered a distance of 15,300 km covering 16 states so far including Bhutan.
When asked about his trip, 60-year-old Sharat Sharma told Orissa POST, “According to 2016-17 report made by Ministry of Transport, 1 lakh 50 thousand commuters died in accidents, out of which 52, 500 are bikers. Among them, 18.6 per cent commuted died for not wearing helmets, this is what triggered me to take a mission spreading messages to all people to obey traffic rules and use helmets. There is also death cause for using phones while riding. I want to people to know the consequences.”
He has just retired from his profession.
There is another of his journey. Sharma wanted to convey fitness message. “There are three innings in your life. Third innings begins after your retirement. Unless you are fit, you can’t enjoy your life. I wanted to make people realize that age is just a number if you are healthy and fit. People can enjoy their life without having barrier of their age. Riding a bike is not age-specific. I use my pension fund to travel the states.”
He will be travelling Puri, Konark and Goplarpur and Sambalpur January 28. “I sleep early at night and wake up at 4 am. I make sure of 45-minute exercise regimen before hitting the road at 8 am,” said Sharma.
He never depends on GPS or navigation. He takes help of locals to find the ways of he is lost. “GPS will not help you in certain moment. I take advice of local people wherever I go. They are my navigators.”He receives complete support from his family.
Sharat will be setting out to Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad and other states. Sharat expects to finish his journey by September 1.
By DIPCHAND BIHARI, OP