AHMEDABAD: Sixteen years, 32 countries, five continents and a message of peace to be spread. That’s the story of Taher Madraswala, the man who left Ahmedabad on a bicycle in 1981, then just 18, and toured the world.

That is the story of courage and grit that the Limca Book of Records will salute, 12 years after he completed his epic journey.

Madraswala’s journey ended in 1997 and it found a mention in the 2007 edition of the record book, which was released recently. But, what the records won’t tell you is the story of a girl, Nasrin, who waited years for him to return so they could get married.

It will also not tell the story of violence that Madraswala has witnessed as he grew up in the city — gory events that left a scar on his psyche and steeled him up to undertake this 1.25 lakh km journey for peace.

He began is journey with just Rs 72 in his pocket. But soon, the word spread and donations poured in. While he used the money to buy airline tickets to fly across oceans, he had numerous offers of shelter and assistance during his travels.

Even then, there have been days Madraswala has gone without food, days when he has been lucky to be alive. Sitting in his Ahmedabad home in Jamalpur with wife and six-year-old twins Fatema and Murtaza, he recalls how he got kidnapped by a local tribe in Ethiopia in 1988 and almost got killed and how he managed to escape. What he remembers more are the many occasions when people reached out and helped him, offered him meals and shelter, or help in other small
ways.

He also fondly recalls his engagement with Nasrin in 1985, when they did not know how long his peace mission would take.

“Many told Nasrin that I would not return and that she should not ruin her life waiting for me. But, we kept our promise,” says Madraswala.

Madraswala, who runs a business now, was felicitated during his tour by mayors of many big cities like London, Los Angeles and New York. The then Canadian PM even offered him citizenship. “Despite this, my own city has not recognised my feat yet,” says Madraswala.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com