Mission Accomplished! Manipal Prof Shameem finishes 3,400 km Cycle Journey
Mission Accomplished! MIT- Manipal Professor Shameem completes 3,400 km Cycle Journey from Gujarat to Assam
Mangaluru: Assistant Professor of MIT, Manipal University, SSS Shameem loves cycling. He is not just a recreational cyclist, rather a seasoned professional with loads of experience. Shameem is a regular endurance athlete, with a vast experience of many Half-Marathons, Full-Marathons, 200/300/400 Km Cycling brevets; apart from regular rigorous training sessions.
Earlier he has attempted Solo Cycling journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, i.e.3,500 Kms in 23 days during Summer-2016; and also one Manipal University Campus Connect “Tour-de-Manipal” (Team cycling event) Manipal to Jaipur 2,500 km in 20 days during Winter-2016. This is apart from many other cycling events organized by different organizing bodies all across India, in past 4 years. To add more feathers to the cap, he planned for yet another attempt Okha (Gujarat) to Dibrugarh (Assam) Solo Cycling expedition, i.e. 3,400 km; and he decided to complete it in just 20 days during this Summer-2017. This was not for any record purpose, but to spread the message of Unity-&-Humanity in a Greener-&-Healthier way.
Starting on 12th-May from Manipal via bus, he traveled a hectic 2000+ km to reach Okha which took a roller-coaster journey of 50 hours.The solo cycling attempt started on 15th morning from Okha, and ended on 29th midnight at Dibrugarh. Though the earlier schedule was for 20 days; with extra mileage each day, he managed to complete it in just 15 days.
Starting with Gujarat, and followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and the last Assam; each of the states has its own surprising-interesting flavours.During this journey, he (alone) passed through 6 States and UTs, 35 Districts, and many cities, NHs, check-posts. The risk factor of cycling on particular parts of UP and Bihar (some of the possible sensitive areas) was a matter of worry for him, though it was all safe and sound without any issues. The blessing of supporting Parents, and wishes of friends paid off, and he could finish the feat without any major challenges.
Heat of the summer, in the mainland of India, as we all agree is extreme; and that too on barren highways it’s unbearable. To avoid heat, yet cover sufficient distance, he planned for most of the day-time in resting, and major part of the route was covered in early morning, late afternoon, evening, and night hours.Also the daily covered distance was in 200-250-300 km range only. Obviously, with so much of heat, causing irritation; modified schedules; and focus on extra mileages, he couldn’t enjoy much the beauty of the nature around; nor he could stop at any place to interact much with people. Throughout the journey; he was getting offers for help and support by many (his students, alumni, friends, clubs and others). But as clearly understandable, any kind of such support would consume good amount of time,and he would have to travel additional distance to reach to them; so he decided to avoid all.
By attempting such ‘crazy’ feats, he just wants to prove that, “Nothing is impossible, if there is a will, and passion”. If one can do, then anybody else can; all that’s needed is a courage to attempt, with proper preparation and right planning. Also, he is trying to promote the message of “Live and Let Live”, in this current highly chaotic society. He backs the cause of “Being Human; the Human that God-Almighty created”, which he himself tries to follow to possible limit. He believes, “It’s okay, if you can’t make someone laugh; but don’t make one cry. Don’t be the REASON of PAIN to anybody.”
Proud-parents Sk. Habibun Bibi and Sk. Anwar Hossain are always his role-model and source of inspiration, for which he apologies with God-almighty for respecting them more than Him. Having already done with North-South earlier, and now East-West solo cycling; he has already started planning for something even bigger, unique and interesting for future. More details about “Bharat-Bhraman”, as he calls it, is available on www.ride4pride.weebly.com.
Also Read Related Articles Below:
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