GUWAHATI: Assam para-cyclist
Rakesh Banik started his 3500-km ride from Bangkok on Sunday to spread awareness against the menace of rhino poaching in the state. He will cover at least 32 cities of Thailand, Myanmar and India for his 'Ride for Hope 2: Save the Rhino' campaign.
Banik, who lost his right leg in an accident back in 2012, has undertaken many such ambitious trips to campaign for causes and spread social awareness among the masses.
In 2016, he had cycled to India Gate in Delhi on his 'Ride for Hope' campaign to ask the central government for a financial package for the flood victims of Assam. In the same year, he also cycled from Manali to the highest motorable road Khardung La.
Now, with rhino poaching being one of the major challenges that Assam is facing at the moment, the 31-year old para-cyclist from Ambagan of Kaliabor in
Nagaon district has decided to embark on a herculean journey across the southeast Asian countries.
He will enter into the Indian territory from Moreh in
Manipur before finishing his journey in Guwahati.
"I started my journey (Sunday) from the Indian embassy in Bangkok. After travelling for 80 km, I reached
Ayutthaya where I met some local people interacted with them," Banik told TOI on Sunday.
"Rhino is the pride of Assam. But over the last few years, the dangerous practice of poaching is on the rise. Everyone knows about the poaching rackets that run across the southeast Asian countries. Superstitions that claim rhino horns can cure several diseases add to the problem," he added.
Banik hopes that his effort will make a difference and he can play his part in checking the problem of poaching in the state. "I will be interacting with people and distributing leaflets to spread awareness about the issue. I'm planning to finish the trip in 25 days," he said.
