ISSUE 11 | NOVEMBER 2019
The deterioration of the knees particularly left knee
was bad. Had to forego motorcycle and come to a
Bajaj scooter and then finally to a Kinetic Honda. Was
walking with the help of walking stick. The steroid
injections had taken it's toll. But I never gave up.
Continued with alternative treatments from tibetan
herbal medicine in MacLeod Ganj, Dharmshala to
Khasi oil massage in Shillong, Homeopathy etc. In
addition to Physiotherapy.
After some improvement by convincing my family
purchased a Hero Honda Splendor in Lucknow. I used
to fix my walking stick on a elastic loop each on the
leg and saree guard. With bike on side stand would
mount from the right manage to kick start and ride.
The left knee kept getting worse. In 2000 I was sent
to Army Research & Referral Hospital in Delhi for
replacement of my left knee joint. The surgeon,
'Brigadier B.K Singh - Sena Medal,' a day before the
operation called me to his chamber to brief me
about the operation. Knowing that I was commuting
on a motorcycle in Lucknow he changed his mind for
joint replacement and carried out arthroscopy. Riding
a motorcycle saved the replacement else by now
would have undergone a second replacement.
BIKERS CLUB | MAGAZINE | PAGE 55
In 2009 purchased a RE Classic 500cc and the road
journeys began. Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya,
Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur
became favorite places. Began attending every Rider
Mania and North East Riders Meet. Five years 2009 -
2013 to Ladakh including two solo rides in 2012 and
2013.
The Biggest moment of my life was when I was given
the privilege of laying a ceremonial wreath at Amar
Jawan Jyoti, New Delhi on 15th August 2013 before
leaving for Siachen Base Camp. "I got goosebumps as
the "Last Post" was played and still get them when I
recollect laying the wreath."
Second was when I rode the WIZARD (My RE Classic
500cc) on the F 1 circuit of 'Buddha International
Circuit.'
And my ride is still ON...
MY WILL IS MY STRENGTH
As I mentioned earlier that for me Army and riding
motorcycle were my passion, soon after I got married
I went to my Honeymoon ride with Poonam (My wife)
as my pillion, I did many rides after that on my Yezdi
but after I diagnosed with Osteoarthritis doctor took
away my passion of riding but after a decade and
more of staying away from motorcycles my passion of
riding them spurted out.
In 2008, after some improvement in condition of the
knees, I purchased a Bajaj Pulsar 220. And my first
long distance ride was to India Gate, Rajpath, New
Delhi to witness the Renault 'F 1 Road Show.' The bug
had bitten me, and back from Delhi I rode further to
Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and back to
Pune. I was riding motorcycle after over 14 years and
was trying to make up lost time and I felt like I was
born again, I can't explain you the feeling of me
riding a new pulsar 220, I felt a freedom in me
" Jise ki ek pinjre se panchi aazaad hua ho."
I have ridden across the country to pay homage at
war memorials at Amar Jawan Jyoti, New Delhi,
Rezangla, Chushul, Leh, Siachen Base Camp, Tawang,
Jaswantgarh, Walong, Indian National Army
Memorial in Imphal. In Port Blair, Andaman - Nicobar
Islands the Tsunami Memorial, Battle of Aberdeen
Memorial, First War of Independence Memorial,
Japanese Peace Memorial, Longewala Memorial and
Railway War Memorial in Gadra Road Rajasthan.
Commonwealth War cemeteries in Kohima, Imphal,
Digboi, Kirkee. Also took time out to pay homage at
National War Memorial, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
when taken by SHELL to witness MotoGP races at
Sepang International Circuit.
Homage Ride to the graves of former President and
Supreme Commander of armed Forces, Bharat Ratna
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam,