Akshay Mahajan’s Rickshaw Run Aspirations
By kamla bhatt • Jun 13th, 2007Category: India, Mumbai
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Akshay Mahajan is a gifted photographer and blogger. His aspiration is to participate in next month’s Rickshaw Run, which is turning out to be big sporting event in itself.
Teesra Paiya (Third Wheel) is the name of his rickshaw team that consists of Neha Dara, Shaizia Jefri and Akshay. All three team members are based in Mumbai. It is all for a good cause points out Akshay. The team has to raise money for a charity organization which will help NGOs in India.
The team will ride their rickshaw over 3,000 kms of rough terrain halfway across the country from Calcutta (Kolkatta) to Himachal Pradesh in the monsoon. Akshay and his team mates plan to take pictures, video and have a blog of their rickshwa ride. So, watch out for that.
I talked to Akshay to find out about this fascinating rickshaw run and how Akshay and his team members are preparing for the event.
Disclosure: We are a sponsor of Akshay’s team in the Rickshaw Run.
Technorati tags: akshay mahajan, neha dara, shaizia jefri, teesra paiya, autorickshaw run
Kamla Bhatt is the host and producer of an Internet Radio show where listeners can find stories about the new and emerging India and the global Indian community. As a pioneer of 'internet radio' format in India Kamla started her first show News about India, followed by TalkNewsIndia in 2005. In 2006 she premiered her new show: The Kamla Bhatt Show: Life, People and Ideas. 
[...] I talked to Akshay to find out about this fascinating rickshaw run and how Akshay and his team members are preparing for the event. Here is the link to the podcast interview with Akshay. [...]
Great interview! I talk to Akshay regularly (well, “type with,” I should say) and had not heard the whole story of the Rickshaw Run. Can’t wait to see his pictures. I had to google the end point of the race and cannot believe that’s where they’re going. Oh to be such an adventurer.
Hello Beth:
Thanks! Good you got to hear Akshay’s voice finally then!
Yes, the pictures should be interesting to look at.
All I can tell you it is one steep climb from Chandigarh to Manali…don’t know how those autos will climb the mountain roads.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
kamla
Kamla,
I listened with interest this morning to the Akshay Mahajan Podcast.
I have heard of explorers trekking on foot, riding a bicycle, scooter or motor cycle, driving cars, sailing in boats, or flying small private air-craft or even balloons, riding on horseback, camel back, or elephant back, but this intrepid team has chosen the least fancied of all , viz an Auto Rickshaw!
I dread an auto rickshaw ride from JP Nagar to Malleswaram on Bangalore’s pot-holed roads. But here is some one willing to brave a 3000 KM journey in the same vehicle. I must compliment this team for the spunk they are exhibiting and for their solidarity with a charitable cause. Along with reports on their experiences on the way, I would be interested in knowing how their spinal columns responded to all the bumps they would have experienced.
Bon Voyage to this intrepid team.
Some things I would pack if I had been in the team:
1)Clothes and shoes made of synthetic material(lighter, more easily washable and quicker to dry).
2)Inflatable pillows, and mattresses to ease the bumps.
3)Extra tyre and tube, a foot operated air pump, a fuel can, an extra spark plug, headlamp bulb, fuel tube, some cotton waste, a tool box and a flashlight.
4)An ipod to listen to above the din of the auto rickshaw’s engine and a good book to read during rest periods.
Here is what my wife after brushing aside all objections, would insist that we add and some how, with typical feminine skill, find the place to stuff it all in:
A first aid box with medicines,jackets/pullovers, an umbrella, extra batteries, Odomos mosquito repellent cream, plastic sheets and carry bags, tissue papaer and toiletries, a note book and ball pen, a portable gas stove,Noodles, milk powder, instant coffee, bread, biscuits and other non perishable snacks, a flask, and a water jug, disposable paper cups and plates, and last but not the least, a small cute idol of Lord Ganesha to ensure benign protection and successful completion.
The Nepal route may be shorter but I wonder if a 147 cc vehicle will have the pulling power to carry three adults with a lot of “Samaan” up the steep slopes at reasonable speed. I can already hear the engine sputtering as it negotiates a difficult hair pin bend and frequent halts due to over-heating of the engine. I would take the longer route through the plains and use as much of the Golden quadrilateral as possible.
I also wonder how they will keep in touch using their cell phones or laptops unless they do it from cities on the way. I think connectivity will be an issue unless they travel through important and well populated towns on the way. That’s another reason for not going via Nepal.
I look forward to reading or listening to a complete report after successful completion of their trip.
I wish the team all luck and success.
Regards
G Vishwanath
Vishwanath:
Yes, this is an intrepdid team that has lot of spunk!
Excellent suggestions on what they should carry. I concur with your wife about the first aid box and the plastic sheets.
Stay tuned…should have more on the story.
kamla
Hats off to the only Indians in the fray! My only concern is their safety and security. Pardon my ignorance, but are they allowed to check in to some motels at night? The girls would especially be at risk…
Yes, hats off to the only Indian team on this crazy trip.
I will check with Akshay to find out about their accomodation.
Kamla
[...] Over the weekend I spoke with Akshay Mahajan a couple of hours before his RIckshaw Run. Akshay and company had just landed in Kolkatta the previous day. Akshay sounded calm and collected and ready to face the grueling 3,700 km run in their blue-colored auto rickshaw. The team has the necessary digital paraphernalia to track their journey and blog about it! [...]
[...] Naseem Tarawnah challenges the world to unplug from the net for at least 24 hours. Mohamed Nanabhay did exactly that. His wife sounds like a very smart woman. Kamla Bhatt will be sponsoring blogger and photographer Akshay Mahajan in next month’s rickshaw run. I’m definitely taking part in next year’s race. [...]