For country and cause, this para-cyclist is going the distance

For most athletes, there is no greater honour than representing their country. For Aditya Mehta – a double silver medallist at the 2013 Asian Para-Cycling Championship – this statement holds true, albeit with one notable exception. He is willing to sacrifice the personal honour if he is able to help someone in need.

The owner of a successful textile business, the Hyderabad resident was hit by a bus nearly a decade ago, forcing the amputation of his right leg from above the knee. He found solace in cycling, taking it up professionally. Before his success in the Asian championships, he entered the Limca Book of Records for completing a 100-km ride in under six hours. Ticking off personal goals, he pushed himself to cover longer distances and higher altitudes, eventually riding from Manali to Khardung La in Ladakh, the highest motorable road in the world. In the process, he discovered that he could channel his prowess for a greater cause.

In 2014, he launched the Aditya Mehta Foundation and has since devoted his time to creating awareness and raising money for providing amputees with artificial limbs, funding their education and for distributing sports equipment specially designed for the physically challenged. As part of these efforts, the 33-year-old has been undertaking a series of long-distance rides, capping off 2015 with a 1,450-km ride from Delhi to Mumbai. Mehta completed the journey in six days and without the use of a prosthetic limb. In this interview, Mehta discusses his vision for para-sports in the country.

What prompted you to turn your long-distance rides into a fundraising activity?I managed to get whatever I wanted because I come from a well-to-do family. But I saw a lot of people who were working hard for the country without any sponsors. That prompted me to financially support one or two people. But that wasn’t enough. So I decided to ride from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and raise money. But I felt bad, almost shy, to actually ask anyone for donations and didn’t end up raising much money.

When I returned from the trip, I realised that I must speak to people in order to help others and that as a businessman, I should sell myself. After opening up to people, I decided to ride from Manali to Khardung La and raised a lot of money. That success gave me a big boost and I started giving motivational talks and raising funds through that avenue as well. Eventually, we got the foundation up and running about 18 months ago.

Are you still competing professionally or have you committed yourself entirely to the foundation?

I was supposed to go for a cycling competition in Europe some time ago. Everything was set up, but then I got a call from a family that needed financial support. My thinking was that I could go for the tournament and a win a medal, but if I divert that money to help that family, I can save a few lives instead.

I will represent India in the future, but if there is an opportunity to help someone, I will prioritise that and then think of myself. I feel that helping other people is more important.

How does a person overcome the trauma of a disability to get into sports? Is it a form of therapy?
The most important thing is counselling. The second I hear about an accident or incident where someone has been left disabled, I immediately try to contact that person to reach out and counsel them. I had no one to counsel me and I don’t want others to have the same problem. Watching a video on YouTube or Facebook might serve as motivation, but if I go personally and speak to an affected person, that is what has a real impact.

I was not a sportsman in my youth. I only took it up after my accident and whatever confidence I have today has been through sports – that is my message.

The next challenge is maintaining the drive. It’s easy to take up a sport but sustaining it is difficult. And that is exactly what I am trying to do through my academy. I’m telling people to come to me and I will provide them the support to keep going.

Apart from para-athletes, are you reaching out to other people as well?
We recently tied up with the Border Security Force – supportive of me since the beginning – to counsel and train personnel who have lost limbs on duty. We have a big team of athletes who can help train these personnel in the sport of their choice. The Central Reserve Police Force has also expressed interested in this initiative. While sport remains the priority, we also want to fund children pursuing higher studies.

How would you describe the current scenario with regard to para-sports in India?
It has to do more with society's attitude than the government's. Who is coming to congratulate our para-athletes? When Saina Nehwal arrives after winning a championship abroad, she gets a grand reception. But when our para-athletes achieve something significant, no one comes to congratulate them. Para-athletes may be winning as much or even more medals than able-bodied athletes, but there is simply no recognition.

What are your goals for the new year and beyond?
I’m planning to ride from Manali to Khardung La from August 1-15 and we are looking to get people to join me on the journey. Before that, I will do some promotional rides to create awareness.

By 2017, we want to start a rehabilitation facility or a sports academy for people with disabilities. My grandmother always used to say that I will get whatever I want. So hopefully that will turn out to be true, not just for me but for the people who really need the assistance.