Sukreet Gupta
A man with a Golden Heart popularly known as “Goldy Bhai” is a one man army to promote cycling among the youth of Jammu, taking care of the youth as young as 80 yrs.
Yes, he is the one who made many of us feel that we are defying age. When generally people think of leaving physical activities when they cross 35 yrs of age, but many of us who adopt cycling into their Life style are above this barrier.
Started alone few years back just for the sake of health, now he is a path finder for many cyclists including youngsters. Goldy Bhai started a group of dedicated cyclists in October 2014 with 3-4 members initially with the name “Jammu cyclist” formerly known as “Goldies cycling club”, first of its kind in Jammu.
This is exactly fit to Goldy bhai what is said by famous Poet – Majhrooh Sultanpuri
“Main akela hi chala tha janib-e-manzil magar Log saath aate gaye aur karwaan banta gaya”
A humble, slim, dark looking man, an independent entrepreneur Balvinder Singh aka Goldy Bhai, only Post Graduate in his family ventured into cycle selling business M/S Harbahjan Singh & Sons in Dec 2000 soon after his marriage in October 2000 initially for a time pass with a thought process of setting up his own cycle manufacture unit but due to down fall in the main business of family and untimely demise of his father in 2005, his time pass business turned out to be the main savior for the family. Goldy Bhai is a man who can be clearly seen by the fact that though belonging to a conservative society, he supported his better half Rajnish Kaur in pursuing her higher education after marriage . She is also post graduate in Chemistry and also the first woman member of “Jammu Cyclists” paving way for other women.
Today, Jammu Cyclists comprises of 100+ members with 25-30 active cyclists from all walks of life. It includes Govt. Officials, business personals, students as young as 9 yrs and retired persons as old as 80 yrs. There are also female members in Jammu Cyclist who already made their mark in the society and encouraging other females to follow their footsteps. One of them is Parul Jasrotia, who is a famous tracker and recently completed Chader Trak in Feb 2017, Sumiya Kousar who has already paddled from New Delhi to Kathmandu.
“Jammu Cyclists” not only motivate and inspire but it actively participates in social causes with responsibility under the mentorship of Goldy Bhai.
To name a few
* “Beti Bachao, Beti Padao Abhiyaan Ride” Jammu to Udhampur, Feb. 2016
* ” Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan Ride” Jammu To Pathankot , Nov. 2016
* ” Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and Beti Bachao Beti Padao Abhiyaan Ride” Jammu to Golden Temple, 26th Feb 2017
* “Promoting Digidhan and Cashless Ride” Jammu to Patni Top ,14th April 2017
* “Earth Day Ride” Jammu-Samba-Jammu, 22nd April 2017.
* Road safety week rides at Jammu and Udhampur organized by respective RTOs.
Besides the Special Flag Rides on Republic day and Independence day.
Goldy Bhai is a natural motivator. He organized Gran Fondo (a type of long-distance bicycle race usually 56km and above) in May 2016 in which more than 60 cyclists from all age groups participated and is also making efforts to organize the same this year just to indulge people of Jammu in active cycling and to give them the exposure of competitive cycling. He motivates and supports youngsters to participate in National and District Championship. It is also pertinent to mention here that in the recently concluded State Cycling Championship, Winners in almost all the categories belonged to Jammu Cyclists. This is all due to the hard work of Goldy bhai. He spends money on the youngsters without thinking and even gives his cycle to them for practice if anyone needed. He always prefers to be at the last during practice session so that if any one requires help he could be available for them. He also repairs cycles free of cost for any person visiting to Jammu, –National or foreigner just to give him the positive feed back of the people of J&K. In short, if you think of doing cycling in Jammu get the expert advice from Goldy Bhai.
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