He Travels Around the World on Bike Creating Awareness on HIV
Mangaluru: Rambahadur Naidu, aged 43 originally from Bangladesh, but settled in Bengaluru had started a world tour on a bicycle on January 1, 2001 (when he was 30 years old), in a bid to spread the message of peace and create awareness about HIV/AIDS, had arrived in Mangaluru couple of days ago. Naidu had originally started his journey on a bicycle, but after completing 1,18,679 kms at the end of the year 2006, he switched his mode of travel by riding the Bajaj Platina Comfortec motorbike- and since 2006, he has travelled 65,186 on his motorbike.
When he read in a newspaper that HIV/Aids was deadlier than cancer, Naidu had only known cancer as the deadliest disease until he came across that article that would change his life. Having read about the dangers of HIV, Naidu embarked on a mission to research more about infection, effects, prevention, stigma and other aspects. He is still on his mission to ride around the globe creating awareness on HIV/Aids with the aim of ensuring he informs as many people as possible about the disease. So far, he has toured around quite a few countries namely Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Saudi Arabia, Tibet, Indonesia, and other countries- and recently came back to India from Malaysia by ship.
While here in Mangaluru, he had met the Police Commissioner to get a certificate as a proof of his visit and will meet the RTO to get the kilometre certificate signed. Naidu, a martial art expert speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” Life is a precious gift of God. Let us enjoy life by living in peace and harmony. Nobody has the right to take human lives. While he has been spreading the message of a moral life to keep away from AIDS/HIV, he said, ” No disease will touch you if you lead a moral life. I know HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease, and therefore I am trying my best to educate people about the harmful effect of this disease- I only wish my mission will serve the purpose for a good cause, and I am confident it will”.
He had used three bicycles during his initial travel, sporting a white flag symbolizing peace. He has a photo taken of all the currencies that he has collected from various countries that he had been so far. But the most memorable currency according to him is the Rs 5000 note given to him by as a gift by Brigand Veerappan in Satyamangala forest- and he said that he will not spend that currency in memory of the Brigand.
Rambahadur Naidu is an orphan and still unmarried- and has the intention to marry once he completes his world tour, but he’s reluctant to say as to after how many years. He rides his bike only during daylight and only eats light food and drinks lots of fluid. Yours truly offered him a sumptuous vegetarian lunch at a renowned veg restaurant in the City, for which he was very grateful, and said that during the last two days Mangaloreans have been very friendly, courteous and the hospitality rendered by the police administration has been tremendous. He has been accommodated at police quarters.
He recalls all the different kinds of food that he ate during his stay in various countries and claims to have eaten dog meat, monkey meat, horse meat etc. He travels in ships and boats to cross the sea- and all the funds raised are through a contribution made by generous donors and good Samaritans who have been providing him shelter and food throughout his mission. Naidu says that he has quite a number of countries to visit, and is not sure when his mission will be accomplished. But he promised to keep in touch with Team Mangalorean about the progress of his journey. From Mangaluru he will be going back to Bengaluru, where he will chalk out his further travel plans.
And since R Naidu doesn’t own a proper Mobile phone nor has computer or a email address, but has a humble request to make through our website, where he says, ” Whenever you see me in your town or village, I humbly appeal to you to donate generously to enable me to achieve the benefited object for the purpose of joyful and peaceful living of all human beings. I will be looking forward to your support and encouragement”.
Team Mangalorean wishes Rambahadur Naidu all success in his mission aimed at a good cause, and that God may guide and protect him during his travel time.