The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : On an awareness ride

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Monday, Sep 22, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

On an awareness ride

Staff Reporter

succeSsful: Roshan Naveen reached Bangalore on Sunday after an 18,500-km motorcycle expedition. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: To ride thousands of kilometres across the country on a two-wheeler is no easy task, and doing it alone is hard, especially when the roads are treacherous. But grit and commitment made Roshan Naveen’s journey a success.

Mr. Naveen returned to Bangalore after his 18,500-km expedition, on Sunday morning. He was received by his family and friends at the National College Grounds.

Awareness on AIDS

Twenty-year-old Roshan started his journey on a Royal Enfield motorcycle on June 29,to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS, and he covered 26 States in India, and also Nepal and Bhutan. The journey, Roshan says, gave him immense experience and knowledge about the people, their culture and conditions in different States.

“It was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. I started the expedition in monsoon, and rain was my best companion. I understood the value of life when I travelled to Manipur where 17 militant groups are active though the State is very small,” he says.

“I conducted awareness programmes for truck drivers at dhabas and check posts, and distributed pamphlets. I visited several villages and approached gram panchayats,” he said.

“Biking in the north-east is really tough. There were three major bomb blasts in Tejpur, Dubri, on August 15. My journey was held up for 13 hours due to it.”

What is his message to the youngsters? “Involve yourselves in adventure expeditions. Let it enrich your experience and knowledge.”

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