Sivaram's Blogs

1987: When I was in my 7th Grade, every day commute to school was in a cycle rickshaw, modified to carry 6 kids and our bags to school. We would compete to sit towards the rear of the rickshaw with a metal rod keeping us from falling down; we could just jump out at a gradient and push the rickshaw. It was fun, but a public transport. I could not get down where I wanted, I could not go the speed I wanted and some one else was actually sweating for me. I dreamt of a personal vehicle at that time - a cycle, only for me! I thought if I could buy a bicycle, all this could be solved. My elder sister had a ladies' bicycle by then and I always envied her. She never depended on any one to take her places (school, home). I promised to be a good boy and my parents bought me one - an Atlas bicycle. I also had my first mods installed - a softer, spongy seat with extra-suspension, an additional carrier in the front to hold some books. I was delighted. I felt like a free bird. I al...