HYDERABAD: When tragedy strikes, people react in different ways. Some embrace hopelessness, while a few others turn the adverse situation in their favour. Aditya Mehta, a para-cyclist based in Hyderabad, had his right leg crushed in an accident about a decade ago. These days, he is busy helping out fellow para-athletes through his non-profit organisation known as Aditya Mehta Foundation. As part of the initiative, the annual fund-raising event, Infinity Ride, will be flagged off here on Wednesday.
The event, which will see about 40 cyclists on a gruelling 700 km journey, will culminate in Tirupati on August 15. The participants include people from the Indian Paracycling team with the rest being cycling enthusiasts supporting the cause. “This time we have people flying in from London just to take part in the Ride,” Mehta told Express on the eve of the event.
The foundation’s website says that Mehta has cycled over 40,000 km with a prosthetic leg. Starting in 2013, the foundation has helped over 80 para-athletes, Mehta claims. “Our aim is to bag 100 medals at the 2020 Paralympics. And that is why we are not only training para-athletes, we are building them. By building I mean transforming a regular amputee into a para-athlete,” the 33-year-old said. “And we are not only focused on cycling. Athletes are getting trained in other sports like badminton and swimming.”
Activities of the organisation are not limited to civilians, as many Central Armed Police Force personnel, who had limbs amputated, have also benefited from it. “It is quite tough to approach the paramilitary force people. Some senior officers of CAPF helped me out and the association came to reality. We have counseled around 600 soldiers,” Mehta said.
Asked how the money is utilised once the fund-raising is done, he said, “Every year, we organise training camps where top para-athletes coach potential para-athletes. This year the camp was held in Bengaluru. We also provide prosthetic limbs and sporting equipment.”
The riders taking part in the Infinity Ride will use social media and other contacts to raise in excess of Rs 3 lakh each. Is Mehta ready to take part himself? “Unfortunately, I have not trained properly in the last few months. But, I will try to complete the ride,” he revealed.
Hailing from a garment business family, Mehta has dedicated himself to the cause. “Initially, my parents were a little skeptical. But when they realised that this can change the lives of people in need, they had no objection,” the silver medal winner at the 2013 Asian Championship concluded.
vishal@newindianexpress.com