National Bi-cycle Safari for National Integration
Rajeev Joseph was highly interested in adventure sports besides his acknowledged and avid participation in arts & cultural activities. His patriotic views and adventurous intuitions attracted him to Nehru Yuva Kendra’s ‘National Bicycle Safari’, and at the age of 15 he travelled from Kerala to Delhi to participate in the Independence Day Celebrations in 1985, International Youth Year. This historically significant bi-cycle rally was inaugurated by Mr. K.V Nambiar, Kannur District Collector at that time on 20th July 1985. The 10 member Kerala team reached Delhi on 13th August 1985 covering a distance of 3000 kilometres in 23 days suffering a lot of hardships even dangering life on occasions and fighting bravely the averse climatic situations. He travelled back to Kerala on 17th August in bicycle and reached on 26th August at a record time of 9 and ˝ days covering more than 3000 kms at a stretch. All the cyclists reached Delhi from different parts of the country decided to return back home by train, Rajeev opted for a return journey by cycle showing an adventurous and determined persona. He determined to live up to the spirit of the journey to spread the message of National Integration. On his return journey, after covering a few kilometres alone, Mr. C.K. Prabhakaran, a senior member of the Kerala Team joined with him. They travelled through the geographical diversities, interacting and staying with the poorest of the poor among nomadic communities, suffering a lot of physical and mental agonies, only to strengthen the ‘will power’ to face the hard realities in future. He saw people starving for days, children quarrelling over a piece of bread, beggars fighting for a little space at night to put their head at rest. He too faced starvation, spent nights under trees on roadside and continued journey on the mercy of food and shelter provided by sympathetic strangers. All these bitter experiences he faced and witnessed, resolved his mind to work for the under privileged and to fight to ensure food security for all citizens. |
