Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): With the entire country under lockdown and public transport off the roads, a man has embarked on a long journey on his bicycle from Mumbai to meet his ailing father in Rajouri district of Jammu, around 2100 kilometers away.
It is not going to be an easy journey for 29-year-old Mohammad Arif, a resident of Rajouri, who works as a watchman in Mumbai Central. But a distress call from his hometown has compelled Arif to take up the extraordinary challenge.
“My father has suffered a hemorrhage after he was beaten by his relatives. He is right now in hospital fighting for life. His last wish is to see me,” Arif said.
Arif landed in Mumbai a month back to earn his livelihood. “My father is living alone as I am his lonely son. Besides, I and my wife parted ways long back and three of my kids are staying with her,” he said.
He said his in-laws live near his father’s house, and recently, there was a scuffle on some issue in which his father suffered the hemorrhage.
When asked how he will reach Rajouri on a bicycle, Arif said, “I had no other option than to start this journey on the bicycle. I don’t have money to even hire any vehicle,” Arif said while adding that it will be an easy journey for him if people can help him by arranging a conveyance.
Meanwhile, concerned residents of Mumbai have launched a campaign on social media to help Arif.
Before landing in Mumbai, Arif was working in UAE as a driver for seven years. “I met an accident there because I didn’t have proper documents. I was jailed there for 11 months that’s why I have to return back to India,” he said.
