Together, We Can!

It is a long day today on the road for Bharat Organ Yatra 2.0 and Kaka. The Boroland Riders bid farewell bang on time – at 7am! Kaka leaves early in the morning to beat the afternoon heat as much as possible. However, his planning faces a big hurdle.

As Kaka hits the highway, he encounters poor visibility. The dense fog is adamantly floating close to the road. Though trying his best and riding cautiously, Kaka is unable to spot the tar road! Left with no choice, Kaka parks his bike on the side and prepares for an endless wait…

Each passing minute is a torture… It takes a complete hour for the fog to start dispersing and Kaka to resume his ride. Assam’s Tezpur is a 278 km ride from Boingaigaon. 

While Kaka is clocking new milestones in B.O.Y. 2.0, his efforts of B.O.Y. 1.0 arrive sealed at ReBirth’s office in Pune. 

The Limca Book of Records has sent a certificate of recognition of Bharat Organ Yatra 1.0! The achievement is celebrated in B.O.Y. 2.0’s stride; Kaka is on the road when the back-end team sends him a photograph of the certificate; it remains unseen until the end of day…

Today’s ride takes Kaka 9 hours! His body is a little stiff, thanks to the extended journey. Deep, Tezpur’s biker-host, and his biker friends welcome Kaka to the city. Together, they ride to the booked accommodation. The hot climate is menacing; Kaka is looking forward to unwinding!

The receptionist checks the log-book and confirms the booking. Instead of the room key, a piece of paper is handed over for Kaka. He will be allowed only after a blood check for COVID-19. 

Disregarding his fatigue, Kaka follows Deep to a private hospital. The doctor, here, prescribes the tests that need to be carried out – only a government hospital’s report is a valid proof of Kaka’s health.

Deep and Kaka visit the government hospital; there is a mad rush outside it! Getting tested looks unattainable. Though his words speak otherwise, Kaka’s 68-year-old body is showing signs of exhaustion. 

Deep calls up a friend; and takes Kaka to him. The friend, also an owner of a small lodge, has agreed to host Kaka for the night; it is already evening by now, anyway!

Kaka narrates the entire incident to B.O.Y. 2.0’s back-end team; he also foresees this repeating in every city henceforward. But, he is not ready to back up, yet!

Though riding high on emotions, it is also the time to be practical. With the rising cases of COVID-19 around the world, ReBirth is gravely analysing the future of its Bharat Organ Yatra 2.0. The core team of B.O.Y 2.0 discusses the issue at hand and arrives at a conclusion…

Kaka is informed of a route change tomorrow. With his health as top priority and as responsible citizens, ReBirth has decided to halt the Bharat Organ Yatra 2.0 until the crisis is won.

Kaka understands the magnitude of the problem and consents to the decision. Though disappointed by the temporary but abrupt end of B.O.Y. 2.0, Kaka also respects the larger interest for the country.

ReBirth may have been promoting organ donation awareness so far; but today, it also joins forces for another awareness – ‘precautions to take to beat COVID-19’!

Day 59
Bongaigaon to Tezpur | 278 kms
– juhi Kothari/Shetty