On August 30, Bhausaheb Bhawar, a 50-year-old biker who was on an excursion to Srinagar, visited Maj. Gen. PBS Lamba, the GOC of the 31st Subarea, and spoke to the pupils of Army Public School.
Bhawar, who is originally from the rural community of Hasnabad in the district of Jalna, has disclosed to authorities from the army that his primary objective is to inform people about various forms of social wrongdoing. “It has been around three decades since I began riding throughout the length and width of the country with the purpose of eliminating societal ills such as dowry and foeticide and disseminating a message of national cohesion and communal peace. I also have conversations with young people on the dangers of substance abuse, the importance of personal hygiene, the dangers of corruption, and healthy food. I do not have a place to live, a mobile phone number, or a bank account. “Wherever my cycle stops for the day, that is my residence for that day,” he stated regarding the mission and himself as he was speaking to Major General PBS Lamba, who was the GOC of the 31st Subarea.
When his older sister and the rest of his family were subjected to dowry harassment at the hands of her in-laws, Bhawar, the PRO of the Defence in Srinagar, stated that he was only 16 years old at the time. “Our parents congratulated her and gave her presents for the wedding. However, her in-laws began pressuring her and demanding more money,” Bhawar said, adding that the situation was a horrible experience for the family at the time. He began riding in 1993 when he came to the conclusion that raising awareness was the essential first step in putting an end to the societal problem. According to Bhausaheb, the reason why female foeticide occurred was due to dowries because parents were terrified of having their daughters married and putting them through the hardships that marriage entails. During his trips, he also gives lectures and runs awareness campaigns at various educational establishments.
Bhausaheb Bhawar does not take money with him or a cell phone. Instead, he cycles between 50 and 60 km each day, starting as early as 4 in the morning, sleeps at religious buildings like churches, temples, gurudwaras, or mosques, is vegetarian, and makes sure that the majority of his food consists of fluids. While he rides about on his bicycle, he has a chair that folds up for convenience’s sake. The guy brought back more than 30 kilogrammes’ worth of documentation from his journey, including pictures he took with notable figures as well as newspaper articles written in a variety of languages. In contrast to the majority of awareness campaigns that go from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, which begin and conclude on a single national route, he pedalled to each and every district.
Between 1993 and 2006, he undertook his first three journeys continuously. He was so busy that he was unable to even contemplate about getting married, much alone attend the burial of his father, Vithal Rao Bhawar. “Had I gone to the funeral, I would have lost several days of the mission,” he remarked. “I am glad I did not.” On occasion, he picks up the phone and gives his mother, Kala Bai, a call.
When questioned about his employment and what he does to make a living, Bhawar responded by saying, “It is HIS (the almighty’s) duty to take care of me.” He became philosophical and said that if you have a good intellect and a clean heart, you will always have excellent people around you who would take care of your needs.
Since he went on his very first ride in 1993, the biker never finds himself in a rush and has avoided getting into any scrapes or mishaps as a result. During his recent trip to Srinagar, he gave a speech to the pupils of Army public school and encouraged them to steer clear of narcotics and other forms of social ills, as well as to lead healthy lifestyles and become responsible citizens.
