| Getting on his bike in aid of the differently abled |
23rd Nov 2013
|
 | 
Aditya Mehta on the expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari | Photo: Ajit Kaushal
ope keeps you moving and it's good to motivate and inspire others like me," says Aditya Mehta, a tricenarian, who lost his leg in an accident eight years ago. Rather than becoming dependent on others, Mehta became an inspiration and one of the first accomplished Indian paracyclists to have won two silver medals at the Para-Asian Cycling Championships 2013.
After bagging the silver medals, Mehta is more confident and is now on a fund raising mission, travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari completing 3800 kilometers in 36 days, covering 36 cities.
About his loss, Mehta says, "As it is said 'hope sustains life', I think it is just great being alive. Having a vision in life is to be blessed and I am happy with it. I was a naughty and hyperactive kid and losing a leg at 23 was indeed a shock, but I wanted to live my life rather than being a bechara for the rest of it. My father used to say that I am a fighter and will fight back. Today, with his support, I am much stronger, dedicated and a better human being."
Talking about the aim behind this fund raising mission, Mehta said, "After the Cycling Championship I realised that in India, there are several differently abled people who are enthusiastic about sports but in the absence of appropriate amenities and help, either from government or from any other source, they never pursue their passion. During this ride I will encourage people like me to take up sports and will also request citizens to donate rupee 1 each, which will directly go to the Aditya Mehta Foundation that helps others like me." On each of his expeditions, Mehta is accompanied by a committed team which includes his doctor, prosthetic expert, and a mechanic.
But why start such a mission? "Not everyone is as privileged as me. Being from a financially stable family it was easy for my parents to afford artificial limbs worth 7 lakh rupees that have been imported from Germany, UK and the US. Such specially designed limbs and sports equipments are out of the reach of a common man. So I thought of organising this fund raising project through cycling, which is my passion and encourage differently abled people to lead an honourable and noble life," adds Mehta.
Cycling is Aditya's passion and besides these achievements he has successfully accomplished other journeys. His achievements include a London to Paris journey, a 9000 feet climb, 510 kilometres in three days and also a Hyderabad to Bangalore trip, a distance of 545 kilometres which he covered in three days. He is in the Limca Book of Records for the fastest 100 kilometres of cycling.
"The stretch from Srinagar to Jammu was really challenging as truck and bus drivers are not at all considerate on the roads," rues Mehta while sharing the route map wherein he will be travelling to Ambala, Panipat, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and would conclude the journey on December 13 in Kanyakumari.
"I hope the sports authorities of India would plan something for the differently abled like a sports academy for amputee sportspersons after looking at me and my endeavour," concludes Mehta who also plans to participate in the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Para Olympics.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment