'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
31-year-old Aditya Mehta took up cycling only about 19 months ago, but is already a renowned amputee cyclist and has gone on to win two silver medals at the recent Asian Paracycling Championship earlier this year.
This came after Mehta lost his right leg in an accident in 2005. You could say, an example of India’s Alex Zanardi!
Mehta is now on a cycling trip from Kashmir to Kanyakumari as part of the Airtel Endurance Ride in order to raise funds for amputees to support their wish of taking up sports. He is going to be cycling through eight states and 36 cities covering a distance of 3,800 km in about 36 days.
“Like me, I want other amputees to discover the joy of sports,” said the Hyderabad-based paracyclist.
The ride started in Srinagar on November 7 and so far 900 km have been covered by Mehta, who thanks cycling for restoring his confidence and helping him rediscover himself after the accident.
All of the money raised through the Airtel Endurance Ride will go towards the Aditya Mehta Foundation, started by Mehta to support sporting amputees.
