This week WheelStreet brings to you the enticing tale of Praveshika Raj Katiyar, a passionate rider who rides her Harley Davidson to make the society a better place to live in. This young lady feels that the inspiration exists within every individual and one just need to summon it for the right reasons. Praveshika believes that the passion for riding was embedded in her soul since childhood and today biking serves as her medium to express herself.
She learned how to handle a bike during her teens using her cousin’s bike and laid her hands on many other bikes as well. Two years ago, on her birthday, this daring lady thought of gifting herself with a Harley Davidson and she exhausted all the savings which she had made in the last seven years in order to make her dreams come true. During the conversation, Praveshika excitedly exclaimed that “I usually visualize stuff and I visualized myself riding a Harley Davidson to my office.”
As a woman who was never afraid to break barriers, Praveshika embarked on her journey on two wheels. “Women have always been appreciated and looked in a shocked manner while we ride! This is what motivates us to ride and keep going.” This passionate rider has been a part of the Golden Quadrilateral Ride as part of ‘Ladies of Harley’ group which covered around 7000 kilometers. The 7 women conquered the length and breadth of the country in order to promote road safety and to spread the message that India is a safe country to ride for women.
Praveshika was also a part of a ride which was organized by Amul in order to celebrate the birth anniversary of Amul’s Founder Dr. Kurien. She adds, “We should be aware of the contributions of Dr. Kurien in the Milk Revolution.” This young lady feels privileged because she gets to meet many people belonging to different culture and biking groups during her rides. She loves to learn more about their culture, food, and stories. Harley Davidson had been Praveshika’s first choice because of the brotherhood that can be associated with the bike. “When you see the riders riding along with you on the road, you have a telepathic conversation that they are there to have your back.”
When asked about her upcoming trips, this energetic lady claimed, ”I have a lot of plans but I am running low on funds at the moment. No one sponsored me (laughs) and so I will have to save money before I start again.” During 2019, she plans to ride in order to promote the adoption of the elderly. “This motive is quite personal to me and I want to ride across the country to spread the message that we can adopt an elder just like we adopt a child.” She feels that the elderly need a lot of support and she also wants to do something for society. Praveshika is shifting to Lucknow so that she can be close to her family and also because she feels that she should practice what she preaches.
Praveshika also got in touch with a biking group which had lost a member in a road accident. They have started a safety awareness program where they promote and preach road safety. She wants to spread the awareness all over Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh.
Her upcoming plans include a cow campaign in which she plans to reduce the number of animals roaming about on the roads. “After Yogiji’s government, the number of animals roaming about on the streets has increased because the slaughterhouses have been banned. There is a lot of bike accidents because the visibility is poor at night and the cows are in groups. The cows need to be sheltered and the road is definitely not an option.” adds this lady with a vibrant personality.
She feels that if there are no slaughterhouses, then there should be some cowsheds where the animals can get some accommodation and they do not roam around on the street. Praveshika claims, “The presence of animals on the streets is threatening the safety of both the riders and the animals. I am planning to start an awareness campaign which would help in building some cow sheds so that the animals can stay off the streets and remain safe.”
When we asked Praveshika about what keeps her going she adds, ”Many women ask me for my mantra. I always tell them it is all in the mind. There is no mantra because it is not rocket science. If you set up your mind, you will be able to accomplish it. It is only in the mindset, once it is gone, nothing is going to stop you!” Praveshika is a safety freak and feels that the riders should wear all the safety gears even while they going for a short ride.
Hope you guys enjoyed listening to this incredible human. She is breaking stereotypes, tops among the inspiring females and we are really proud in featuring her this week. She can be reached on her Instagram: @wanderwoman46. Stay updated with WheelStreet until next week for more inspiring people like her!