In a remarkable display of resilience, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Rajajinagar MLA S. Suresh Kumar has earned high praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing an arduous cycling expedition from Bengaluru to Kanyakumari. The 70-year-old politician covered a staggering distance of 702 kilometers over just five days, a feat made even more significant as it came months after he recovered from a debilitating health condition.
Prime Minister's Personal Congratulations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to personally congratulate the legislator. In his post, the PM highlighted the inspiring nature of Kumar's achievement, particularly his determination after facing serious health setbacks. "Shri S. Suresh Kumar Ji's feat of cycling from Bengaluru to Kanniyakumari is commendable and inspiring," Modi wrote. He added that the accomplishment sends a powerful message about the importance of fitness.
Following the social media post, the Prime Minister also spoke to Kumar over a phone call. An elated Kumar shared, "I was really thrilled to receive a call from none other than Hon'ble PM of Bharat congratulating me." He informed the PM that this was his second cycling trip to the southern tip of India after a gap of 51 years, and that he undertook it after suffering a serious ailment.
A Journey of Grit and Recovery
The cycling challenge was not just a test of endurance but a personal victory over illness. Earlier this year, Kumar was diagnosed with chikungunya encephalopathy (CE), a rare and severe neurological complication. The condition left him bedridden for a significant period. His doctors, however, were supportive of his decision to resume cycling, noting it aided his physical recovery and helped rebuild his confidence.
Kumar commenced his journey on December 23, leaving Bengaluru at 4 am. He was accompanied by a group of 12 fellow cyclists from the 'Rajajinagar Pedal Power' initiative. The team maintained a rigorous schedule, covering impressive distances each day:
- Day 1: 157 km
- Day 2: 159 km
- Day 3: 155 km
- Day 4: 156 km
- Day 5: 73 km
In total, they pedaled for almost 37 hours to complete the 702-km route.
Promoting Fitness and Community Spirit
Kumar stated that his ride had a dual purpose: it was both a personal milestone and a public campaign to promote fitness and healthy living. He revealed that his efforts were motivated by Prime Minister Modi's earlier appeal to encourage cycling in every constituency. The MLA has been actively fostering a cycling culture in his area, often organizing rides with local residents to boost community participation.
Fellow cyclist Prashant Sadashiv Patil, who was part of the expedition, praised Kumar's leadership. "He was inspiring us throughout the journey with interesting stories and taught us about team bonding," Patil said. He expressed hope that such initiatives would encourage other constituencies to promote cycling, potentially reviving the habit across Bengaluru.
Reflecting on his lifelong passion, Kumar shared that cycling has always been integral to his life, from his childhood through his early career as an advocate. Although politics caused a brief hiatus, he returned to it with renewed vigor and purpose. His extraordinary journey stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for recovery and serves as an inspiration for citizens to embrace perseverance and an active lifestyle.
