So today my plan was to finish my work
early and do some research about Malshet
Ghat, although I had been there but, this
time we were going as a group so wanted
to make sure all the arrangements proper.
With the thought of this, I didn't realize the
day was about to end when I got a call from
unknown number.. "Hello Mr. Vinod
Rawat.. I replied Yes".
I am calling from Collectorate office
Dantewada Chhattisgarh.. are you
available to talk.. I just paused for a
second, since two days the story of
Dantewada is on every newspapers and
channels everywhere, and I receive a call
from Dantewada collectorate office, I asked
myself WHY ? and WHAT FOR ?
But I replied yes we can talk with the
seriousness in my tone.
He said he was a PA of collector of Dantewada and told me Mr. Collector wants to speak to me, curious me said
Okay.. "Hello Mr. Vinod Rawat.. he was sounding like a late middle aged person, I replied with Yes..
We have a state project of "BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO" under the central government campaign, and we have
heard lot of things about your philanthropic activities, and we want you to come as a chief guest to Dantewada in
Chhattisgarh to motivate girls and parents in this area, there is a small programme for which I wanted to invite
you.. When is this programme happening.. I asked him with a relief in my voice.
You know sometimes you get tensed out when receive a call from that place where a major incident has occurred
few hours ago and you know you don't know anyone from that place, you have just heard and read about it in the
media. Mr. Collector said coming Saturday - Sunday, actually it's a four day event but if you can come for two days
then it will still work for us, we can send you flight tickets.. That guy was very polite and authoritarian, I said, I will
come and it will be my pleasure to visit there.. with a pause..
"As we know Once a Biker is Always a Biker and we ride because of we have passion for nature, passion for
roads, passion for unknown places, passion for adventure and more of it we have a passion to know ourselves..
And riding motorcycles fulfils all our passion.. So when Collectorate approached me for that event, I immediately
grabbed the opportunity and asked if you don't mind if I come from my bike, will it okay with you ? instead of giving
me flight ticket, you can provide me petrol expenses.. Mr. Collector took a pause and asked are you saying that
you will come by bike from Mumbai to Dantewada Chhattisgarh.. I said Yes.. He said.. hmmm but I have heard
you have one artificial limb and still you ride.. and not only you wanna ride but you want to come almost 1200 kms
by riding.. I mean I don't want to offend you but don't you think it's too much.. and in this summer season don't you
think it will be too much exhausting for you.
I laughed and replied.. thanks for your concern sir.. but I am a rider and I have travelled almost every part of India
on my bike, and I like to explore it.. but I have never been to Chhattisgarh on bike till yet, so when you are giving
me an opportunity then I don't want to waste it by travelling through air.
Shockingly Mr. Collector replied, if that is the reason then, it would become a super campaign for us as well.. and
he agreed to sponsor my ride and gave me details about that event through email.. Also he added, if you need any
road assistant when you enter the boarders of Chhattisgarh, please let us know, I am giving you my PA's number,
you can call him anytime.. he will take care of rest.
I thanked Jesus.. about this opportunity and said in my mind.. what else I wanted.. I immediately posted about this
event in my convoy control club in whatsapp.. and told them that this time you guys have to go for Malshet without
me.. All have congratulated me and said.. take care of yourself in that Naxel area, which is very dangerous..