Indore-based artist Pradeep Sen (30), who is pedalling for a cause reached the steel city on Wednesday.
Sen is on a bicycle mission to appeal to the government to take disabled friendly initiatives to make their lives better.
Sen’s life has been a roller coaster ride. He lost his left leg after a train accident in 2013 is now on a mission to educate the masses about their social responsibilities.
But, the accident did not deter him from riding the bicycle. Sen, who aims to pedal 12,000 km to enter into Golden Book of World Record in bicycle riding has already completed travelling 11 states so far reached Jamshedpur last night and would leave for Ranchi tomorrow early morning.
Sen started his journey on Nov 14 from Indore and have so far covered Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and now Jharkhand. Out of his target of riding 10,000 km, he has already completed more than 8800 km. "After the accident my confidence level has improved. I want to motivate the people, who feel they cannot achieve their dreams due to physical disabilities," he said.
During his interaction with people, he told them to follow traffic rules strictly. "life is precious and we should not ignore traffic norms. The rules are made for people's safety.
We should not put our life at risk by violating rules" Sen said. Similarly, he also explained the benefits of cleanliness and suggested the students maintain their surroundings clean to maintain good health and to make the nation healthy. The students said, Sen is a role model for them. "He sets an example for us. Sen shows nothing can deter us from achieving the goal if we have determination and confidence," they said.
He carries an emergency kit with him that comprises of first aid, medicines, tools, stationery and energy drinks. Sen rides between 50 km to 150 km in a day. He prefers riding at night too. Pradeep now aims to finish his ride in Delhi after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requesting him to open a ministry specially dedicated to the disabled.
The commerce graduate with specialisation in foreign trade has a variety of interests, including dance and choreography, photography, art, paining, cooking.
Sen participated in the Smart City Cycle Marathon in Indore in 2014 with the help of an artificial limb. He had also participated in the Dance Indore Dance programme.