This octogenarian 'Cycle waali Dadi' braves all odds

85-year-old Vijayalakshmi Arora from Chattisgarh's Hatkachora town has proved that age is just a state of mind. Lakshmi who is a huge inspiration for all pedals 20 miles across the town every day. This has been her daily routine for the last 30 years.

Jagdalpur:At a time when most of the elderly persons prefer to sit back and cherish their retired living this 85-year-old woman cyclist from Chhattisgarh has chosen to brace ahead defying the barriers of here senility.

Vijayalakshmi Arora, who hails from Hatkachora town of Bastar district happily puts her age to test as she pedals down miles across the town every day. Fondly called as 'Cycle waali Dadi' in her town the octogenarian granny rides her bicycle 20 miles every day. This has been her daily routine for the last 30 years.

Lakshmi who was married to an Ayurvedic physician said, "After my husband's death, this bicycle has been my only campanion and friend".

Considering her age, Lakshmi's family members informed that they were initially hesitant to let her ride the bicycle but seeing her ardent love for it they eventually gave up. "You cannot even tell her that she is too old for it," says her family.

The 85-year-old cyclist, who shows no signs of slowing down, said cycling is the secret behind her longevity and good health.

"I have observed that the new generation is not conscious for their health. Modern comforts are curse for them. Neither do they follow a healthy lifestyle nor do they exercise, which in turn make their bodies home to diseases," she added.

The 'Cycle waali Dadi' said that she educates her younger ones to show more awareness towards health and religiously follow a healthy diet and do a lot of physical exercises.

“It’s a treasure to have her at this age. She is a woman with strong will and agility and is a huge inspiration for all of us," said a local resident of her community.