Jeypore: At a time when the society is witnessing a behavioural shift among the people due to social deprivation caused by lockdowns imposed in the wake of COVID pandemic, a young man has set out on a mission to spread the message of happiness by moving around the country on a bicycle.
Vishal Tekade embarked on his pan-India journey from Nagpur in Maharsashtra on June 13. After covering 8 states in 503 days, he reached Jeypore in Koraput district from Andhra Pradesh on Friday.
Carrying a mattress, some daily use items and books, Vishal plans to tour 28 states and attempts to motivate the people to come out of depression, anxiety and loneliness by presenting himself as an example.
Narrating his story to Odisha Bytes, Vishal said he led a very difficult life since his childhood. “I have endured a lot of hardship, pain and reverses. But I never got cowed down and always fought back against every hostile situation,” he said.
He started his journey with just Rs 10,000 in pocket. He also faced many difficulties on the way. But he did not give up. “People have been very generous to me. At night, I take rest in a temple or monastery and eat whatever is offered by the people. At times, I work and earn some money so that I can continue my journey,” he said.
Some days, he does not get a place to rest. Besides, COVID restrictions have prevented him to enter the temples and seek shelter. At those times, he used to sleep in fields or parks under open sky without food. But he takes all these on his stride.
Vishal has also written a book titled “Reborn Within and Seek Comfort”. It throws light on his experiences in life and his determination to overcome the reverses.
From Jeypore, Vishal will go to Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and then West Bengal. He plans to visit all the states and union territories in three years.
