BY GORKY BAKSHI
It’s all about dreams and a passion to pursue it. For a traveller, measuring the whole world could be the biggest dream, but, for Satish Kumar it was perhaps the only dream. He is a dreamer and a traveller, who as fate would have it- lost both his legs in an accident. But, he hasn’t stopped chasing his dreams of biking.
Satish Kumar (35) lost both of his legs in a tragic train accident, still intended to travel across country on his bike. Today he is an inspiration for many and has set records for the coming generation. He goes everywhere on his Enfield bullet, driving on his own.
Accident and inspiration
In 2005, he lost both his legs in a fatal train accident. While trying to get down from a moving train, his legs got caught in the gap between train and platform. He was dragged down under the wheels of running train, and his life changed forever.
For the next one year he was in a deep depression, he gave up his dream of biking and travelling at all. He was shattered and was bid ridden, for a long time.
One day, the news a teenager committing suicide over an insignificant issue left a deep impact on his mind. The news shook his mind and he felt that he was also following the same path, he felt that it was nothing less than suicide. That moment he decided not to waste time and his life anymore.
Also Read: Losing legs did not stop Satish Kumar riding 13,800 KM on bike!
Starting a new life
He searched for many ideas and equipments that can help him; finally he came to a decision of getting prosthetic legs. He wanted to pursue his dreams once again; he wanted to ride the bike.
After getting a prosthetic leg, he began with learning scooty and gradually went on the ride a motorcycle. After practicing over three months and gained enough confidence he decided to go on a road trip. In a first week of September he started his journey from Odisha and till date he is measuring Indian roads.
So far, he has covered almost 13,800 kilometres. He has reached West Bengal from Odisha on his own bike with artificial legs. Satish says: “My aim is to create history by making my name enter in the Guinness and Limca books of world records. Ability and disability are just human perceptions. If I can do it, anyone can.”
Recognition
He has not just inspired many emputees to live life on their own terms, but also many artists to work on his life. A prominent film production company recently approached him and decided to make a movie on his life and journey till date. A three minute documentary on his life has made way to the World Nomads Travel Film competition.
Satish is planning to measure the entire country through his bike and he feels a lot of fire inside himself. He says: “I want to climb Mount Everest, and I know I can. I have to prove myself just to inspire the coming generations.”