My father, Prakash Anant Sathe
could well be called the Lance Armstrong of Nagpur.
His passion for cycling and bicycles is probably
unmatched. Nothing really can come between him and
his bicycles - even today, at the age of 64, he
gets up at four in the morning and goes around the
city on his cycle - a routine that has remained
unbroken for the past forty years.
Such is his devotion towards cycling, the most
people call him fondly as "Cycle-waale Sathe".
In his younger days, he was a keen competitor in
many cycling contests. Among his major victories
have been the cycling races like the below:
In all he has won around 11 major cycling
contests. He has also been part of major national
cycling contests like the Mumbai-Pune (150 Kms)
cycle race (twice), Baroda-Mumbai (600 Kms) and
Mumbai-Nasik race (twice).
In 1992 he took voluntary retirement from his
employers, Food and Civil Supplies and contested
the elections for the post of Municipal councilor.
He got elected with thumping majority and was in
office between 1992-97. During this period, he
went on many campaigns to promote cycling -
something which he believes is good for society
-health wise for individuals, pollution wise for
the world - and of course it does save a lot of
money.
In these 5 years he kept promoting the awareness
of cycling by forming the Akhil Bhartiya Cycling
Parishad - through which he organized many cycle
races. These included races for doctors,
professors, college students, students, lawyers,
PTI, ladies, labours, hawkers, milkmen etc.
Even as a corporator, he used to commute on his
bicycle. To spread the importance of cycling, he
collected donations and gifted 160 bicycles to
those who were involved in sports, cultural and
social activities. His dream is to donate 1111
bicycles and hopefully this dream of his will be
fulfilled soon.
As a Corporator he took the initiative of
beautification of the Ambazari crematorium. He
promoted the diesel crematory - which is very
cheap as compared to traditional timber. A firm
believer of the GO-GREEN
philosophy, he started the unique idea where
people were urged to plant a tree in memory of
their near and dear ones who had passed away - and
the crematorium would take care of that tree.
Both my parents have in fact pledged to donate
their bodies to science after their death.
Before I end, there's one other passion that Shri
Cycle-waale Sathe has apart from his bicycles.
It's his harmonica - or the mouth organ. He plays
the instrument regularly - and at times, even
while cycling. Do check out the video below where
he plays a tune of Swantantra Veer Sawarkar.
Playing "Jayostute" song on
Harmonica
Dear Father, thank you for all you
have done for us.
I'll always remember your unique philosophy
-
Single seat on a bicycle,
Double seat on a vehicle.
Read comments
during my schooling days I do remember the efforts of Sathe Kaka to promote cycling movement amongs school students.hats off to Sathe Kaka..Long Live Sathe kaka!!!
simply gr8 .... as i m a musician .... i can understand the importance of this video ..... gr8 .... a true magician + musician. .. .. . Hat's off ..... keep it up .... thanx ...
Anand Maste | Wednesday, 21st
October, 2009
Keval apratim !!! Kya baat hain !!!
Zoota gale se gaataa hain, Bhookha pet se gaata
hain, Mooka mann se gaata hain; Lekin sachha Dil
se gaata hain !!!
Swapnil Raste | Thursday, 14th
May, 2009
Subodh tuzya Kalpana farach Chhan
astat, Kakana hya website dware je tu prastut
keles hi mala wat t ki ek mulane aaplya Wadilana
dileli chhoti shi bhet ... Ekdam Zakkas All the
best......
Parag | Friday, 24 April, 2009
Hi Subodh bhaiya! It's really nice
to see uncle's pic on your website finally. I was
wondering why it was not there up till now..!
Whatever has been written abt him is exactly what
he deserves. He's the person whose soothing sound
of Mouth organ lets us wake up early in the
Morning with a fruitful music... So I also thank
him on behalf of our whole colony for this...! :)
Thanks a lot!
Shashank Lakhotia | Saturday, 22 November, 2008
kaka khup chan vatla website baghun.
tumcha cycling cha passion mahitye amhala. wish
you happy and healthy life.
Sathe sahab is ideal for all of us.
Cycling is such a nice thing (healthwise,
pollutionwise, econoywise) that it should be made
compulasory. At least for young guys below 22-20
years. I see collge guys zooming on bikes for no
good reason! Now, pick a young-hunk random biker
from city, and I am sure he has less stamina than
this 64-year-old cycle-wale sir. Now as this
"Go Green" campaign has started, let me
know what I can do. (As far now, I am using public
transports and in school time participated in
cycle hikes. Very soon, I will organize a cycle
tour Nagpur-Ramtek of 50 boys from Mankapur,
Nagpur!) - Anup, 09970905606
Anup Manchalwar | Friday, 7
November, 2008
I am sure Shri Shewalkar was
talking about UR father, When he asked about U
playing the mouth organ in the morning.
Amar Damle | Thursday, 6 November,
2008
You philosophy is truly inspiring.
I strongly support your ideology of improving
health, reducing pollution and of course saving
some money that can be used for a noble cause.
Hats off to you Sir.
Girish Sharma | Friday, 31
October, 2008
Hi Subodh, ur father is really
admirable and appreciable....and Go-Green
philosophy is a gud one......he is infact
inspiration for many youngsters......
Priya | Wednesday, 29 October,
2008
Respected baba, u r the most happy
go lucky man i have ever met. U stand true to the
rhyme "he is a jolly good fellow,nobody can
deny." We are really happy that subu has
tried to give u ur true recognition. I am thankful
to u for all that u have given to our kids. We are
always there with u. Thank u for everything. I
pray to god to bless u with a happy life.
hi subodh!! Baba kharach gre8 ahet
re..... "song on Harmonica" te me
baghitale, mala te phar awadle tyanch kharach
kitihi gun gayale, kitihi koutuk kele tari kamich
ahe re.... wish u all the best you, baba & all
family
Bharati Dhakate | Wednesday, 22
October, 2008
baba u r great! simply great! great
personality! sooooo enthu in this age too! keep it
up we r proud of u and we love u!
Devyani Joshi | Saturday, 18
October, 2008
absolute noble and unique idea sir.
it feels great pleasure to know an eminent person
like u.may god bless u and keep u n ur family
healthy as ever. you rock!! regards, swati!
