A young Mumbai Police constable with a passion for bikes and love for travelling has recently returned to the city after visiting 29 States, covering over 26,000 kilometres, on his modified bike, bringing back with him fond memories and tales of the rich diversity of India.
Constable Nikhilesh Yadav, a native of Khed, joined the police force in 2013 and is currently posted at the police headquarters in Worli. Since his childhood, Mr. Yadav has been passionate about bikes and started going on biking expeditions in his teenage years. He had always wanted to go on a pan-India expedition, and he finally realised this dream earlier this year.
“The idea was to experience first hand the diverse cultures of various regions in India. I have grown up reading and hearing about unity in diversity and have always been curious to explore it myself. After six months of planning, during which I consulted friends and fellow bike enthusiasts all over the country, I mapped out a schedule and then applied for leave. Luckily, my superiors sanctioned 113 days of special leave and I was ready to go.” Mr Yadav left from Mumbai on January 21 this year on his Royal Enfield, with nothing but a backpack containing essentials. He first headed to Gujarat, and then to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, visiting wild life sanctuaries, local tourist spots and temples in the States.
Received with warmth
“Everywhere I went, the people were very welcoming and helpful. As soon as they learned I was travelling alone, they offered advice and directions, and helped me find places to stay overnight. Throughout my trip, I have slept in temples, in an old-age home run by a friend, and in other places with the help of the locals. In some places, the local policemen, after learning that I am a policeman myself, helped me with accommodation.”
Mr. Yadav went on to visit north India, touring Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Agra, but had to cancel his plans to go to Kashmir due to heavy rains. He then went to the northeast, visiting Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, all the while maintaining a diary of his observations about the local customs and traditions.
“I reached Manipur during the Holi festival and enjoyed it thoroughly. The people of Manipur have roads shows by rock bands through the day, while women stand on either side of the road holding two ends of a rope and block every vehicle that passes to collect contributions for Holi festivities. I was advised to carry plenty of change for this reason. At night, large fires are lit and the people dance around it. It is a traditional folk dance called Thabal Chongba. It is quite a sight to watch as scores of people come together and dance in perfect co-ordination.”
Another sight that Mr. Yadav said he will never forget is the Ganga Aarti, a daily worship of the river Ganges, in Haridwar. “Thousands of people gather at the banks of the river twice a day, at dawn and in the evening, with oil lamps in their hands, which lights up the entire area, while the Aarti is performed. The lamps are then released into the river, giving it an otherworldly glow. It has to be seen to be believed,” he said.
A hero’s welcome
Mr. Yadav subsequently proceeded to the south through east India, visiting Kolkata and Orissa, before reaching Vishakapatnam and then touring Chennai, Bengaluru and ultimately Kanyakumari. By this time, his leave was coming to an end, and he sped back westards, spending a day in his native Khed in Konkan, where a hero's welcome awaited him. His family and friends welcomed him with garlands and compliments, and were urging him to stay for some more days. However, he was at the end of his leave period and he reached Mumbai on May 6, clocking 26,612 milometres on his bike.
“In those 113 days, I have experienced diverse sights, diverse cultures and diverse climates. It is an experience I will never forget, but is one that I would like to repeat,” said Mr. Yadav.
