Pushkar’s Spinning Wheels

FROM ISSUE # 112 (April 2005) | IN THIS ISSUE
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He is, once again, on his way. All geared up, he makes last minute preparations, namely, putting the final touches on his bicycle, and gathering provisions, information, maps and a whole lot of good wishes from everyone he meets. Possessing a constant vigour and an enviable drive that's not common to many, Pushkar Shah cannot wait to be on the road again.

The break that he took from his schedule- a nice, brief stay in his homeland–lasted two months and has now come to an end. His homecoming was an event in itself; he's received tremendous response and overwhelming support from people here. Time has flown where Pushkar is concerned, and while he dreads leaving behind friends and family, his spirit of adventure pulls him to his feet. Even during his so-called 'respite', he hasn't been idle. After having a cultural program organised in Yala Maya Kendra in Patan, where he presented various photographs and memorabilia that he collected during his travels, more recently, he participated in Collections, an exhibition of a similar kind held at the National Art Council in Babarmahal. Displaying a remarkable array of license plates, caps, t-shirts, bottle caps, hat-pins, awards, photographs, coins and currency from umpteen nations, with Pushkar's trusty bicycle as the piece-de-resistance, the fundraiser also featured the works of artist Govinda Azad, photographer Raman Bhattarai and belongings of climbing prodigy Temba Tshiri Sherpa.

Although Pushkar initially planned to enter Africa through Liberia, following a tricky route across the continent and concluding that portion of his tour in Algeria, things have now taken a different turn. "Financial support was difficult to arrange," Pushar says. "But hopefully, I will be able to resume my tour of Africa in the winter if luck favours me." And we hope it does. But for now, while Africa takes a back seat in his plans, what does he intend to do? "Europe," he answers. Starting with the UK, then Ireland, on to Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and finally, Belarus, his journey around Europe is bound to be exciting. But then again, all his journeys are.

Stretching over a period of six months in the summer, once this tour is over, he looks forward to spending a year-and-a-half in the dark continent. When asked if he has any plans of a small visit to Nepal in that course of time, he shakes his head dolefully. "No," he says. "That doesn't seem possible. At least, not for the moment."

Pushkar's courage, his perseverance and his quest for peace has, by now, acquired indisputable repute in many countries of the world. The Nepali flag that he has fixed on his bicycle never fails to evoke feelings of pride in us, for he has taken the nation's honour to another level. In his own way, he reminds us of the power of dreams and renews our belief in what we have the potential to achieve. Perhaps we can't all be 'Pushkars' but if we try hard enough, we can see a glimpse of ourselves in him. Pushkar's wheels are on the spin again, we wish the eklo yatri all the best for his journeys ahead.

PREENA SHRESTHA