Bahrain: AN Indian biker has stopped off in Bahrain on a worldwide adventure in which he plans to ride through 25 countries on a modified motorbike to raise awareness of disabilities.

Bindiganavela Venketa Narayana shipped his 10-year-old 180cc Bajaj Avenger to the UAE in September and has since used it to travel through Qatar and Saudi Arabia before arriving in Bahrain.

The 55-year-old, who himself suffers from a minor disability after being hit by a motorbike in India, hopes to complete a 35,000km road trip that will take him through the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the US.

“Based on my experience as a handicapped person, I have decided to carry a strong message to all my brothers and sisters around the world not to become discouraged or helpless as an handicapped person,” he told the GDN.

“My aim is to carry the message to 25 countries, covering a distance of about 35,000km in six months.”

Mr Narayana, who is relying on sponsorship to fund his trip, still walks with a limp four years after he was hit by a motorbike. 

At the time of the accident he was already modifying motorbikes at his workshop in Bengaluru, Karnataka, so they could be used by people with disabilities – including amputees.

The modification involves adding two extra wheels, meaning the rider does not have to support the weight of their vehicle when at a standstill, and he is using one of his creations to complete his journey.

He was inspired by his father, a mechanical engineer, and since his arrival in Bahrain he has been invited to speak at a number of social gatherings.

Mr Narayana told the GDN he wanted something positive to come out of his own accident, explaining another purpose of his tour was to encourage motorists to be
more careful.

“I believe that it happened for a good cause,” he said.

“If it didn’t happen to me, no-one would have gone on a world tour to try to reduce the amount of handicapped people.”

Mr Narayana expects to be in Bahrain for another week while he waits for his visa to enter Kuwait, after which he plans to visit Oman, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the UK, the US and Canada.

On the way back, he hopes to also travel through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan.

However, it is not the first time the adventurer has embarked on a worldwide expedition. 

“I went on a tour in 1979 where I visited 59 countries and covered 90,000km in 18-and-a-half months,” he said.

“My aim then was to promote organ donation.” 

To contact Mr Narayana, call 38215760 or e-mail bvnarayana29@yahoo.com 

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