JOIN USAt Shakti Mandir in Timarpur, the 54 year old BV Narayana waits for a letter from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of External Affairs, which will allow him to travel the world on his four-wheeled motorbike. For him, to travel the world, is not a very far-fetched dream, as he has been on the move since he was a teenager, having travelled 59 countries (90,000 km) in 1979.
Narayana has already received his letter of acceptance from the Ministry of External Affairs, which will allow him to get Visa clearance for every country he goes to.
“In 1979, I was a 19 year old kid, and people would generously allow me to live in their houses. But now I require sponsorship (from Ministry of Finance) to be able to afford my travel and also a note from the government which will say that, ‘this man is here for a good cause’,” Narayana tells Metrolife.
Narayana’s cause is simple. He wants to spread awareness about avoiding marriage within same blood group, about Polio, about the hazards of drinking and driving, talking on the phone and driving, allowing children to drive, and the importance of following traffic rules.
An accident, four-and-a-half years ago that left him with a limp explains his desire to create awareness about safe driving. An avid cyclist, he enjoyed designing motorbikes for the physically handicapped, an experience which came in handy when he had to design one for himself.
But the reason he wants to spread awareness about same blood group marriage is because, “Not many people know about this, but during my years in the United States, I learnt that same blood group couples have deformed babies. These deformities may not always be very overt, the children may be fumblers, or have eyesight problems which may grow to be bigger challenges in their future. Therefore,, I think it is important to educate more people about this,” he says.
Narayana has started a non-profit organisation called ‘Awareness and Controlling Association of not to Become Handicap’, which has been recently registered.
Narayana’s motorbike is adorned by a simply designed poster, delineating his intent. “I started on February 5 from Bengaluru and proceeded to Hyderabad, Nagpur, Allahabad, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur before halting at Delhi. I stop here and there for food and passersby see this poster. I cannot sit and talk to everyone, but if even 10 out of them can learn something and change their ways, I will feel accomplished,”
he says.
The present trip that Narayana is planning will be across 18 countries, which includes most part of Central Asia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Belgium, London, USA and Canada.
He says, “The Finance Minister is out of town, and I will wait in the Mandir till his
return and have a dialogue with him regarding my mission. I am waiting to just meet Arun Jaitley and also appeal to meet with the Prime Minister. I expect only a meeting. If they don’t support my cause, it won’t hamper my mission. When I started my first travel expedition, I had just $17 and that was years back. I have full faith in my cause and I will still carry on,” he says.