Postman’s 36 years-long affair with his cycle

Karkala: This postman along with delivering mail has been using his bicycle gifted to him by his father to go everywhere for the past 36 years.

Ravindra Kumar, a resident of Nitte, is a postman at the Bailuru post office since 1984. He has not given up his bicycle since then.

He rides about 35 kilometres on his bicycle every day.

Kumar’s father, late K Raghuram Rao, was an employee in Syndicate Bank. He was a bicycle enthusiast and commuted on his bicycle every day.

He would always advise his children on the good health effects of bicycling and gifted on to Kumar later.

Kumar, for the love of his father, has maintained and used the gifted cycle since and says that he will continue to use it until his retirement.

From 10 am to 2 pm every day, he goes about his work using the cycle in any weather.

After Kumar underwent a surgery, he was advised not to cycle much but he never left cycling.

“I have heard ridicule and praise from society for my fondness for my cycle. Many have advised me to buy a motorbike and sell this gujri (junk). But I will not for the love of my father,” says Kumar.

“Moreover, riding a bicycle reduces pollution, exercise the body and keeps you in a jolly mood. It also saves a lot of fuel,” adds Kumar.