Day 24, August 7, 2017, Udaipur to Bhilwara.
Distance – 180 kilometres.
Duration-11 hours.
After starting on July 15,2017 on her Solo CyclingExpedition today Sunita is cycling deeper into the state of Rajasthan as she journeys towards Chittorgarh a distance of 110 kilometres from Udaipur. Chittorgarh i sseeped in history of valour and sacrifice with the likes of Maharana Pratap and Meerabai associated with it. Asia’s largest fort
“Chittor” still stands tall testimony to numerous tales. Sunitas stitches had been giving her trouble for the past few days and any jerks during riding were getting to be painful. She was at Chittorgarh by 11:00 but since she had a major part of the day left she headed for Bhilwara which is about 70 more kilometres. By the time she reached Bhilwara she realised that the pain in her hand was excruciating and needed attention. It took her a lot of cycling in the city before she could locate a hospital. Due to moisture the stitches had got infected and required a minor surgical procedure in the operation theatre. As it was a holiday on the occasion of Rakshabandhan the OT was closed but the cooperative staff and doctor of Arihant hospital arranged for it to be opened. They did not charge Sunita anything for the treatment considering the noble mission Sunita has undertaken.Sunita then cycled to the Circuit House where she stayed the night.
Today is Rakshabandhan- a festival symbolic of the love between a brother and sister. Sunita is away from her home today but as she cycled she met Sunil Chaudhary who was also away from home probably on account of some construction work. When he saw Sunitas name on her Tshirt as she cycled past he followed her and stopped her. He said his sister was also Sunita and he was missing her so he requested Sunita to tie him a Rakhi. Sunita didn’t have a Rakhi but she found a plastic string in her bag and tied it around Sunil’s wrist who was overwhelmed with emotion.Sunita also met a young girl and her mother who stopped their car as they recognised her from the previous days news coverage on TV.They blessed her and shared sweets with her on this festive occasion.These are the ways of God who ensures that you get the love of family when you are all alone in the middle of nowhere.
Sunitas todays sends her wishes to her Rakhi brother David from Mexico whom she met during her mountaineering expedition 7 years back. Ever since he ties a Rakhi on this day- today too she was happy to receive a picture of the rakhi she had sent last year tied on his wrist. Its the blessings and good wishes of my family and friends which give me the strength to carry on and achieve my goals however challenging. I know they are always by my side in thoughts and spirit.
