Riding alone on Polio awareness

Kochi: The classic bullet speeds on the DH Road in the city, but few take notice of the rider other than the West Bengal registration number – WB 01 A D2160. Little did they know the rider cannot even stand on his feet for two minutes on a stretch and that criss-crossing the country is his favourite hobby?

Debashis Shaw (56), hailing from Salt Lake in Kolkata, got polio at age six stunting his right leg, but that made him a man of steel. He was determined that his physical disability should not make him dependent on another person or prevent him from pursuing his passion ever since he learnt driving at the age of seven.

“I practically circumnavigate the country on my vehicles, which can be anything ranging from a cycle or a bike to a truck. I have travelled as far as Ladakh to Kanya Kumari. I often go for solo rides without the usual protective gears. I ensure that the vehicle is in top condition every time I set out for a journey,” notes Shaw who is now in Kochi as part of one of his expeditions.

However, this time he has his brother Joydeb Shaw, working with the Sriram Automall, who is currently on a temporary assignment to Kochi, with him.

With a sound mechanical knowledge of vehicles, Shaw at times engages in consignment transportation to destinations like Mumbai, Delhi and Cherapunji.

“I won’t take up permanent jobs for the love of travelling, takes up the assignment only to meet travelling expense. I ride bicycles to trucks and even uses my crippled right leg, fighting against the disease,” he said.

Shaw will return to Salt Lake City, a good 2500-km away, after a two-day stay in Kochi till Sunday.