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Expedition for a cause
PRINCE FREDERICK
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Chandrasekhar Srinivasan and C. Ashwin are on a colorectal cancer awareness campaign from Kanyakumari to Kargil... on a motorbike.
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YOU CAN beat the drums for a cause in a number of ways - by wearing a badge, signing a cheque or just signing a letter of dissent/request. Or you can take the road less travelled - a bike expedition to pin your colours to the cause. Two youngsters from Chennai are currently doing just that.
Twenty-seven-year-old Chandrasekhar Srinivasan has teamed up with his cousin, 18-year-old C. Ashwin, for a Kanyakumari-to-Kargil motorbike tour. They are going to use this trip as a peg to hang their "Colorectal Cancer" awareness campaign. The expedition would also serve as a fund-raiser for the Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar.
For the record, Srinivasan is a senior systems analyst with Satyam Computer Services Ltd, and Ashwin, a second year engineering student at the SRM College.
The youngsters hit the road (at Kanyakumari) on June 17. They expect to reach Kargil on July 9. Their bikes would be worn out by 4,555 kilometres when they are in Kargil.
"We would be speaking about colorectal cancer in the cities and towns we pass through. We expect the media to assist us in this endeavour," said Srinivasan, before embarking on the trip.
Why colorectal cancer? Srinivasan was forced to realise the unpleasant facts about the disease when his mother was diagnosed with it. Two years ago he lost her to it. Today, he seems to have picked up the pieces. But the resolution he took to fight this form of cancer, in his own little way, continues to occupy his mind.
"Colorectal cancer can be cured if detected and treated early. In fact, that applies to any form of cancer. We will be telling people about the symptoms of this cancer," said Srinivasan.
Why do they want to raise funds for the Cancer Institute? "I could see from a close quarters the yeoman service that the Institute has been rendering to society, when my mother was undergoing treatment. Considering the influx of patients, their resources are scarce.
It is for this reason that we have decided to shore up their resources," explained Srinivasan. "We would be collecting only cheques signed in favour of the Cancer Institute."
Is any organisation picking up the bill for the expedition? "We are on this mission on our own steam. May be later in the expedition, a sponsor or sponsors may pick up the tab. Right now, it is self-sponsored," said Srinivasan.
Are they entering uncharted territory? "No. We have the routes figured out. We did it by consulting those who have undertaken similar trips."
The youngsters are honest enough to admit that the trip is not all about espousing causes. "There is a big element of adventure in it, too," revealed Srinivasan. "Since we have a passion for bikes, we settled for a motorbike trip to spread cancer awareness."
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