Pedaling for over 20 years against female foeticide, dowry

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI, Jan 31: He has been cycling tens of thousands of kilometres from west to east, south to north across the country for over the last 20 years.

What drives him to do so is his passiote belief that female foeticide and dowry harassment are a blot on our society and we need to send a strong message against them to every corner of the country.

Yes, Babu Saheb Bhawar, a young man from Maharashtra has arrived at Guwahati on Saturday after completing his tour in Sikkim last week, with just an aim to spread awareness about female foeticide, dowry and girls education.

Bhawar, who has his roots in Hasabad, a village in Maharashtra, has in fact been on such campaigns since he was in class 12.

What inspired him to take up the mission? It all started during the time of her sister’s marriage. He saw groom after groom refusing an alliance with his sister just because she had no dowry to boast of.

He makes it a point to meet a minimum of a hundred people every day.

“I prefer to address school and college students. In Guwahati also I will address students and NCC cadets at Dispur,” he said.

Bhawar hopes to meet Governor PB Acharya tomorrow.

He said he received very good support from Sikkim but in Guwahati support from Assam Government is not encouraging. He said the Indian Army is supporting him in his endeavour.

Bhawar, who is staying at Sikkim House in the city now, will proceed to Shillong next week. He will visit all the Northeastern states in this tour.

This crusader against social evils said he would continue this mission till the end of his life.