The Bicycle by Dash Benhur

Summary

The script narrates the emotional journey of Sudhir Babu and his bicycle, 'Veer Singh,' symbolizing companionship and transformation. From being a lifeline during his wife's childbirth to a muse for his poetry, the bicycle holds cherished memories. Neglected after an accident, Sudhir Babu rediscovers his bond with the bike, refurbishes it, and gains his grandson's admiration. The story reflects the timeless appeal of reinvention and the enduring connection between people and their first bicycle.

Takeaways

• 📚 The story 'The Bicycle' is a prescribed reading for English students and is written by Jitendra Narayan Dash under the pseudonym Dash Ben-Hur.
• 🏆 The author has received prestigious awards for his contributions to children's literature and science writing.
• 👴 The narrative centers around 13-year-old Turner and his grandfather Sudhir Babu, with a focus on their relationship with an old bicycle.
• 🚴 Sudhir Babu has a deep emotional attachment to the bicycle, which has been a significant part of his life, inspiring his poetry.
• 🔍 Turner initially criticizes his grandfather's old-fashioned bicycle and poems, not understanding the sentimental value they hold.
• 🎨 The story paints a vivid picture of the neglected bicycle, covered in dust and cobwebs, symbolizing its forgotten status.
• 🔄 Sudhir Babu experiences a writer's block, leading him to confront the neglected bicycle and the realization of his own neglect towards it.
• 🛠 The bicycle is restored to its former glory by Sudhir Babu, symbolizing a reconnection with his past and the bicycle's importance in his life.
• 👦 Turner's attitude towards the bicycle changes after its restoration, showing a newfound appreciation for his grandfather's cherished possession.
• 📝 The story concludes with Sudhir Babu feeling inspired to write a new poem, reflecting the rejuvenation of both the bicycle and his own creativity.
• 🚲 The Bicycle serves as a metaphor for the need to reinvent and adapt, both in writing and in life, to remain relevant and cherished.

Q & A

What is the title of the story discussed in the video?

The title of the story is 'The Bicycle'.

Who is the author of 'The Bicycle' and what is his real name?

The story is written by Dash Ben-Hur, which is a pseudonym. The real name of the author is Jitendra Narayan Dash.

What awards has Jitendra Narayan Dash won for his literary contributions?

Jitendra Narayan Dash has won the Sahitya Akademi Bal Puraskar in 2014, the 1999 Odisha Vigyan Academy Popular Science Writer award, and the 1989 NCERT prize for children's literature.

What is the main character's name in 'The Bicycle', and what is his relationship with his grandson?

The main character's name is Sudhir Babu, and he has a close relationship with his grandson, Turner, who criticizes his grandfather's old bicycle and poems.

Why does Turner consider his grandfather's bicycle and poems as old-fashioned?

Turner considers his grandfather's bicycle and poems old-fashioned because the bicycle is no longer in use and the poems are repetitive, always centered around the bicycle.

How does Sudhir Babu feel when his grandson criticizes his bicycle and poems?

Sudhir Babu feels hurt and emotionally attached to his bicycle, as it has been an integral part of his life and the subject of his well-received poems.

What realization does Sudhir Babu come to when he sees his neglected bicycle?

Sudhir Babu realizes that despite writing many poems about his bicycle, he has neglected the bicycle itself for years, not spending time with it or taking care of it.

What is the significance of the bicycle in Sudhir Babu's life, and how does it symbolize his past?

The bicycle has been a significant part of Sudhir Babu's life, entering it the same year he got married. It symbolizes his past, his struggles, and his joys, including his relationship with his wife, his friends, and his professional life.

How does the bicycle help Sudhir Babu during a critical situation involving his wife's childbirth?

When Sudhir Babu's wife goes into labor earlier than expected at night, with no transportation available, he uses the bicycle to transport her to the hospital, placing her on a makeshift bed on the crossbar.

What is the name Sudhir Babu gives to his bicycle, and why?

Sudhir Babu names his bicycle 'Veer Singh', inspired by the brave horses Chita and Bucephalus from history, recognizing the bicycle's important roles in his life and considering it a brave companion.

How does the story of 'The Bicycle' end, and what does it suggest about the process of writing and reinvention?

The story ends with Sudhir Babu getting his bicycle refurbished and his grandson accepting and appreciating it. This suggests that writers, like Sudhir Babu with his bicycle, should also reinvent themselves and their work to stay relevant to the present age.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Introduction to 'The Bicycle' Story

The video script introduces the audience to a story titled 'The Bicycle,' prescribed for English students. The author, Dash Ben-Hur, is a pseudonym for Jitendra Narayan Dash, a retired principal and award-winning children's author. The story begins with a conversation between 13-year-old Turner and his grandfather Sudhir Babu, highlighting the grandfather's emotional attachment to his old bicycle and his poetry about it. Turner criticizes the bicycle and the poems as old-fashioned, which hurts Sudhir Babu. The author reflects on the emotional significance of the bicycle in the protagonist's life.

05:02

🚲 The Neglect and Realization of Sudhir Babu's Bicycle

Sudhir Babu initially dismisses his grandson's criticism but later experiences writer's block, leading him to confront the neglected state of his bicycle. He finds it dusty, with peeling paint, bent mud guards, and deflated tires, symbolizing its lifelessness. This triggers a realization of his neglect towards his old friend, the bicycle, and the symbolic accusation it seems to make against him for not caring for it as he once did.

10:03

🏞️ Memories of the Bicycle's Glory Days

The narrative delves into Sudhir Babu's memories of when the bicycle was new, 40 years ago, the same year he married his wife. The bicycle, a green Humber model from England with twin forks and a German bell, was a significant part of his life. It had a Lucas Dynamo, which provided light for night travel. The bicycle was more than just a mode of transport; it was a companion that contributed to Sudhir Babu's life and memories.

15:04

🔦 The Bicycle's Role in a Picnic Rescue

The story recounts an incident where Sudhir Babu and his friends were stranded in a forest during a picnic. When darkness fell and their Petromax light failed, they used the bicycle's Dynamo to generate electricity and light, allowing them to see and continue their picnic. The bicycle's role in this rescue is a testament to its importance and reliability in Sudhir Babu's life.

20:05

💑 The Bicycle as a Witness to Love and Change

The bicycle played a crucial role in Sudhir Babu's relationship with his wife, Rajini. It was used to transport goods from the market and to bring sarees for Rajini to choose from. As their relationship evolved, the bicycle was a silent witness to the changes in their marriage, from the initial shyness to later arguments. Sudhir Babu confided in the bicycle during difficult times, considering it a close friend.

25:07

🚑 The Bicycle's Heroic Act During a Birth Emergency

In a critical situation, when Rajini went into labor earlier than expected, Sudhir Babu used the bicycle to rush her to the hospital. With no other transportation available, the bicycle became a lifeline, ensuring the safe delivery of their first son. This act of heroism further cemented the bicycle's place in Sudhir Babu's heart and his gratitude towards it.

30:11

🛠️ The Bicycle's Restoration and Turner's Change of Heart

After an accident left the bicycle damaged and neglected for five years, Sudhir Babu decides to restore it. He takes it to a repair shop and, after a week, the bicycle is transformed, looking as good as new. This change impresses Turner, who now sees the bicycle as a valuable possession. The restoration of the bicycle symbolizes Sudhir Babu's determination to reconnect with his past and the joy of reclaiming something once lost.

35:11

🎉 The Grandfather's Triumph and the Bicycle's Renewed Life

Sudhir Babu's satisfaction with the restored bicycle is evident, and his grandson Turner's newfound appreciation for the bicycle brings a sense of triumph. The story concludes with Sudhir Babu inspired to write a new poem, reflecting on the transformation of the bicycle and possibly his own need to adapt and reinvent himself to remain relevant in the eyes of the younger generation.

40:11

📝 The Timeless Appeal of the Bicycle Story

The video script concludes by emphasizing the timeless nature of the bicycle story. Despite the changing times and the decline in the popularity of bicycles, the story's emotional depth and the personal connection to the bicycle resonate with readers across generations. The story encourages viewers to recall their own bicycle memories and to express them through writing, highlighting the enduring significance of the bicycle in our lives.

Keywords

💡Bicycle

The bicycle is the central object in the story, symbolizing the protagonist's life journey and emotional connection. It is not merely a mode of transportation but a repository of memories and experiences. In the script, the bicycle is described as having a profound impact on Sudhir Babu's life, from his youthful adventures to his family life and even his professional career.

💡Protagonist

The protagonist of the story is Sudhir Babu, an individual with a deep emotional attachment to his bicycle. The term 'protagonist' refers to the main character in a narrative, and in this video, Sudhir Babu's relationship with his bicycle drives the narrative and explores themes of nostalgia and the passage of time.

💡Emotional Attachment

Emotional attachment in the video is depicted through Sudhir Babu's profound connection to his bicycle, Veer Singh. It is a bond that transcends the object's utility, becoming a symbol of his life's experiences. The script illustrates this attachment through his reaction to his grandson's criticism and his subsequent actions to restore the bicycle.

💡Neglect

The concept of neglect is used in the script to describe the state of the bicycle after it was no longer in use. The bicycle, once a cherished possession, becomes forgotten and overlooked, reflecting a broader theme of the passage of time and the changing values of newer generations, as seen in Turner's initial dismissal of the old bicycle.

💡Restoration

Restoration in the video refers to the process of refurbishing the old bicycle, bringing it back to a state of newness. This act symbolizes Sudhir Babu's desire to reconnect with his past and to bridge the generational gap with his grandson. The restoration of the bicycle leads to a change in Turner's perception, highlighting the power of transformation and renewal.

💡Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a key theme in the video, evoked through memories associated with the bicycle. It is the sentimental longing for the past, particularly for Sudhir Babu's youth and the adventures he had with his bicycle. The script uses the bicycle as a conduit for exploring these nostalgic feelings, as seen in the various life events and memories it triggers for Sudhir Babu.

💡Reinvention

The concept of reinvention is embodied in the transformation of the bicycle and, by extension, the suggestion for the writer to adapt to the times. In the script, Sudhir Babu's decision to restore his bicycle is paralleled with the idea that writers must evolve their style to remain relevant to contemporary audiences.

💡Generational Gap

The generational gap is evident in the differing perspectives between Sudhir Babu and his grandson, Turner. Turner initially views the old bicycle as outdated, while Sudhir Babu sees it as a treasured part of his history. The script explores this gap through their contrasting attitudes towards the bicycle and how it is bridged through the bicycle's restoration.

💡Appreciation

Appreciation in the video is multifaceted, referring to the acknowledgment of the bicycle's value by Turner after its restoration and the broader recognition of the bicycle's role in Sudhir Babu's life. The script shows that appreciation can be a catalyst for change, as seen when Turner's newfound respect for the bicycle leads him to claim it for himself.

💡Writing Block

Writing block, as mentioned in the script, is a creative障碍 that Sudhir Babu experiences, unable to write poetry about his bicycle due to the emotional turmoil caused by his grandson's comments and the bicycle's neglected state. This block is symbolic of a larger life transition and is overcome when Sudhir Babu reconciles with his past and restores the bicycle, allowing his creativity to flow once more.

💡Youthful Energy

Youthful energy is attributed to Sudhir Babu's active lifestyle, which is closely tied to his bicycle, Veer Singh. The script suggests that his continued use of the bicycle post-retirement contributes to his vitality, defying the effects of aging and embodying the idea that physical activity and engagement with life can sustain one's energy and spirit.

Highlights

Introduction of the story 'The Bicycle' by Dash Ben-Hur, a pseudonym for the acclaimed children's author Jitendra Narayan Dash.

Author's accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Bal Puraskar in 2014 and the Orissa Sahitya Academy Award.

The narrative begins with a conversation between 13-year-old Turner and his grandfather Sudhir Babu, hinting at a generational gap.

Turner's criticism of his grandfather's old bicycle and repetitive poetry, reflecting a lack of appreciation for the past.

Sudhir Babu's emotional attachment to his bicycle, which has been an integral part of his life and a source of inspiration for his poetry.

The bicycle's neglected state symbolizes Sudhir Babu's own feelings of being forgotten and undervalued.

A detailed description of the old bicycle's condition, evoking a sense of melancholy and abandonment.

Sudhir Babu's realization of the bicycle's neglect and the parallel to his own feelings of being neglected in his old age.

Memories of the bicycle's past glory, including its English make, German bell, and the Lucas Dynamo, adding depth to Sudhir Babu's attachment.

The bicycle's role in Sudhir Babu's life, from aiding in his wife's childbirth to facilitating social interactions and daily tasks.

The bicycle's naming as Veer Singh, symbolizing its bravery and importance in Sudhir Babu's life.

The bicycle's transformation and refurbishment, reflecting Sudhir Babu's determination to regain his past vitality.

Turner's change of heart upon seeing the refurbished bicycle, indicating a newfound appreciation for his grandfather's values.

Sudhir Babu's satisfaction with the bicycle's restoration and his renewed inspiration to write, signifying the power of reinvention.

The story's message about the importance of adapting and evolving, both in life and in the art of writing.

The enduring appeal of the bicycle as a symbol of nostalgia and the timeless nature of storytelling.

Transcripts

hello everyone

I am here again with another story

titled the bicycle which has been

prescribed for Ace is the English

students of plus three second year

I'm glad that you're watching the videos

learning from them and expressing your

appreciation thank you

lettuce begin this delightful story

about a bicycle

now before going into the story I would

ask you to spend a minute or so thinking

about your fond memories of

bicycle ride

because this particular story

it highlights the emotions that the

protagonist has for his bicycle

okay

this particular story has been written

by Dash Ben-Hur which is actually the

pen name of the author or pseudonym as

we call it

the real name of the author is jitendra

Narayan Dash

who retired as the principal of SCS

College Puri Samantha Chandra shekhar

autonomous College

and he has written more than 100 books

for children

and for that he has won the sahitya

Academy Bal puraskar in 2014.

the 1999 odisa vigyan Academy Popular

Science writer award

and 1989 ncert prize for children's

literature

so it is very interesting that the same

person has won the Orissa sahitya

Academy Award at a certain point of time

and the odisha vigyan Academy Award

so now let us go into the story and see

how the story opens

The Story begins with a conversation

between 13 year old Turner and his

grandfather sudhir Babu so uh

the protagonist of the story though it

is debatable who is the protagonist and

we will talk about it at the end of this

discussion for now the main character

Horus is sudhir Babu and uh he is seen

talking to his grandson who is named

Turner

now Turner was critical of his

grandfather's old bicycle and his

repetitive poetry with the bicycle as

theme

so we see Tana saying to his grandfather

why do you write poems based on your

bicycle all the time and you go on

saying the bicycle is my friend the

bicycle is my life the bicycle is my

body and so on

according to Turner the old bicycle

which is of no use now as nobody is

riding that bicycle

should be treated nothing more than a

garbage and it should be thrown out of

the house that was his opinion

the boy considered the bicycle and his

grandfather's poems old-fashioned so for

Turner both the bicycle and his

grandfather's poems were old-fashioned

okay so that is how the story begins

so what was sudhir babu's reaction to

his grandson's comments

was hurt definitely because he had a lot

of emotions for his bicycle even though

he was presently not riding it okay the

sudhir Babu was hurt he was emotionally

attached to his bicycle which had been

an integral part of his life

it was true that he had written many

poems on the bicycle and they were

published in various magazines so his

grandson was not wrong when he said that

his grandfather could only write poems

based on his bicycle okay but those

poems were appreciated were published in

various magazines and the readers were

happy with those poems and they wrote

letters expressing that happiness and a

publisher had even offered to bring out

all his bicycle poems as one book so

sudhir Babu was really hurt when he he

heard his grandson criticizing his

bicycle as well as his poems

concluded that a child couldn't possibly

know much about the symbolism of the

bicycle so he told himself that he

should not be hurt by what his grandson

said

when did sudhir Babu realize that his

bicycle had been neglected all these

years

so at first he did not pay heed to his

grandson's words

but that evening when sudhir Babu sat

down to write yet another poem on his

bicycle words did not come to him and he

faced what we call the writer's block he

simply could not write another poem

so what was blocking his writing there

was an image of his bicycle in his mind

and that seemed to block his writing an

image of his Dusty and battered by came

to his mind and it seemed to confront or

challenge him so somehow that image of

the damaged bicycle uh lying in a corner

forgotten that image seemed to challenge

him okay he had not ridden the bicycle

for the last five years and he felt that

he had to see it for the last five years

the site the cycle Lane neglected in a

corner nobody was riding it so now when

that image came to his mind he felt that

he had to go and see the bicycle

when he came to that corner of the front

Veranda where the bicycle had been

leaning against the wall all these years

he realized how neglected his old friend

has had been okay so he now

could understand that though he was

writing poem after poem with the bicycle

as the theme

he had not in all these years

come near that bicycle or spent some

moments with his bicycle who was once

his

friend okay

now

we are given a description of the old

bicycle how did the old bicycle look

when sudhir Babu came to

consider it or

see what had happened to his bicycle

so the bicycle was thickly coated with

dust there was a thick layer of dust on

the bicycle that happens when you don't

use a certain thing okay

and that same thing has been said in

another way in the story that the

bicycle was hidden behind a shroud of

dust so there was a covering of dust and

that covering is

equated with a shroud shroud is actually

a cloth which is used to cover dead

bodies okay so in a way this word hints

that the cycle had no life left till it

okay and there was a shroud of duster

covering up

there was also also Grime okay so what

is Grime it is dirt that sticks to a

surface when dirt becomes sticky then we

call it Grime and of course there were

cobwebs because spiders were at work

then the paint was peeling off okay and

and in certain uh places the paint had

almost vanished okay

and the mud guards what are the mud

guards the curved strips over the

bicycle wheels which are designed to

protect the vehicle and the rider from

water and dirt thrown up from the road

okay so we call those things mud guards

the mud cards were bent and battered

they were not in a good condition many

dents were there dense uh means Hollows

on a hard surface developed as a result

of Blues or pressure because over time

because of continuous use and uh you

know probably uh you know because of the

pressure of certain things or because it

had uh struck uh you know some thing or

a wall something the reason could be

anything there were many dents or

Hollows on the mud guards and that is

why it was called batter

seat pointing backwards and about to

fall off the seat was not you know in

its usual form it was pointing backwards

and it was almost about to fall off the

bicycles and tires were deflated that

means there was no air in the tires of

course if no one was using it then the

tires would not have any air left in

them

that is why because of all these things

the bicycle seemed life yes as if there

was no life in the bicycle

then looking at that condition of his

bicycle sudhir babul realized something

what was that seeing his bicycle in such

a condition seemed to jolt sudhir babul

okay something hit him some realization

it was as if the bicycle was accusing

him of neglect so it was as if the

bicycle was blaming him okay that he had

neglected his old friend all these years

he realized that the bicycle which had

inspired many of his poems had not

received any attention caring touch or

commiseration which means Compassion or

sympathy from him for years even though

he hadn't ridden the bicycle all these

years sudhir Babu should have taken care

of his old friend so it does not mean

that because a bicycle is an inanimate

object a thing okay

we won't care for the bicycle when it is

not used because you see sudhir Babu

realized that you're a person who is old

is not very different from an old

bicycle just as an old person would be

hurt if his family members do not care

for him when he is not able to

contribute to the family as he used to

do earlier in the same way had the

bicycle been alive

the bicycle would have a lot of

complaints against him for not taking

care of it all these years for

neglecting it when it could not

contribute anymore to

the family okay

now

looking at the bicycle sudhir Babu went

back to old days when the bicycle meant

so much to him okay so now the story uh

tells us about his memories regarding

the bicycle

the bicycle had entered his life 40

years ago the same year that he got

married to his wife regime

so the same year when rajini came into

his life

was the year when the bicycle entered

his life

now what was the bicycle like then it

was Green

in color and the model was made in

England Humber Humber brand bicycle made

in England

and it had twin forks okay uh the thing

that joins the body of the bicycle to

the wheel those are called Forks you can

see them on the picture Okay so there

were two faults Twin Falls and that is

why

um you know

we can call the model made in England

number with Twin Falls

and there was a German Bell on The

Handlebar okay on the handlebar there

was a bell which was of German make and

it was so powerful that it's uh sound

could be heard throughout the

neighborhood okay and then what was

special about that bicycle there was a

Dynamo attached to it a Lucas Dynamo

okay so it was a bottle Dynam and it was

special uh because it helped light the

lamp cooking

now

let us just spend some time looking at

this picture which tells us a lot about

the various parts of a bicycle because

this particular story is based on a

bicycle we have certain

terms which we must know in order to

understand the story well okay

now what is that fog I I told you why

Twin Falls because there are two such

things

so what is a fork in a bicycle an

important element that connects the

frame and the front wheel will find this

structure in the front wheel okay so

there are two forks and that is by Twin

Falls

then what is the crank of the bicycle

the parts of the bike that take power

from your legs and transfer it into

motion that spins the wheels and propels

you forward that is called the crank set

okay it includes the pedal and the

associated structures then the rear

wheel wheel at the back that carries

most of your weight okay then there is

this Dynamo which I just told you about

this Dynamo it is uh placed you know

it's connected to the wheel in such a

way that when the wheel spins this

Dynamo it converts the energy of the

spinning wheel into electrical energy

because of which the lamps attached are

lighted okay and even if it is the

darkness all around the person riding

the bicycle can with the help of this

light okay you can see the path ahead so

that is the purpose of uh the Dynamo it

converts the energy of the spinning

wheel into electrical energy okay

all right now we will come back to this

story and learn

how this particular bicycle it came to

the rescue of sudhir Babu and his

friends when they found themselves

stranded in a forest okay so what

happened uh once sudhir Babu and his

friends they decided to go on a picnic

okay we all love picnics and so did they

so all the friends they arranged the

things that were to be taken to the

picnic spot on five bicycles and then

they went to that spot

so they had a very nice time there was

fun there was uh Gossip there was Frolic

well then after some time they had to

eat they had to uh you know sit down to

eat because it was almost uh Sunset and

then it soon it would be time for them

to come back okay

but just as they were about to eat

what happened they had taken a

petromax light with them you can see it

on the screen this is a kind of

old-fashioned uh you know lab okay

so it was a petromax light they had

taken it with them but the problem was

as there was sunset and darkness was

just coming

they wanted to like the petromax but it

died away it could not be lit for some

reason okay

now what to do there was Darkness they

could not light the petromax

that someone had this brilliant idea

some someone said that sudhir babu's

bicycle had a Dynamo and they must make

use of that Dynamo to produce light and

then it would all be okay for them

so what was done

you know those friends they took turns

in uh spinning the wheel so the bicycle

was put on on stand okay so that it

would be still and then they took turns

spinning the wheel because of which the

Dynamo came into action and then the

electricity uh was produced electric

energy was produced and the light it uh

it was lit the lamp was lit and the

entire area was lighted and the friends

they could have their food now when a

Dynamo is uh in action there is a hum

that you can hear especially when it is

a bottle diagram because of its

structure it is called a bottle dynamic

and it makes a whirring noise okay when

it is in action so that is why the word

hum is used in connection with Dynamo in

the text

so the rayama was in action and all the

friends they could have their food and

then they came back home because even

while coming back though there was

Darkness because of the Dynamo they

could see the path okay so that was how

the bicycle came to their rescue when

they found themselves stranded in a

forest it was a forest and they could

not like the petromax so what the

petromax could not do sudhir babu's

bicycle did it and their picnic was

boxes

okay and also they returned home safely

then this is one important memory

involving the bicycle

what is

summary

how is the bicycle a witness to the

evolving relationship between sudhir

Babu and his wife

okay

so sudhir babu's relation with his wife

rajini

in that relationship the bicycle had an

important role to play how

now when

they were at the peak of their married

life

all kinds of things had to be brought

from the market to the home foreign

fish and meat were slung from its

handlebars by sudhir Babu okay then what

was the other important contribution of

the bicycle no

at that time women were not allowed to

step out of the home often so rajini

could not go to the market with sudhir

Babu to buy Cyrus

Whenever there was a special occasion

like Roger or

you know savitri Puja okay

what did sudhir Babu do

he

knew a particular shopkeeper so he got

eight or ten sarees from that shopkeeper

and he brought those sarees to rajini

rajini would select one of them and then

sudhi Babu would take all of them back

pay for that particular uh sorry and

then return the rest of the sarees okay

so yes sudhir Babu was the one who

pedaled the bicycle but then the bicycle

also cooperated with sudhir Babu in such

a way that he could do all these things

for his wife to show his love and that

was how the bicycle contributed a lot to

the evolving relationship between him

and his wife

and you know the relationship does not

remain the same okay that is why the

word evolving has been used

while going to college sudhir Babu would

communicate to the bicycle the change

that had come over his wife okay so over

the years there was a change that sudhir

Babu noticed in his wife she was shy at

first but in later years of marriage she

became irritable she was angry with

certain things and there were fights so

probably when sudhi Babu was upset

because of such fights he would

communicate this to his bicycle because

he considered the bicycle his friend

okay

then there was an important episode

because of which sudhir Babu was always

grateful to his bicycle now he remembers

the account of the birth of their first

son in sundargarh okay so

um you know

um

I was pregnant with their first child

and the doctor had predicted the date of

delivery to be 28th of a particular

month but she developed labor pains much

earlier it was around 12th of that month

but she developed labor pains and that

happened suddenly

at night so it was night time and uh you

know no auto rickshaw could be uh seen

the auto rickshaw Rickshaw could be seen

now on the road uh it was deep in the

night and the particular hospital that

was nearby had no ambulance okay so

sudhir bapu did not know what to do with

his wife and how to get her to the

hospital in time for successful delivery

of their child so it was really afraid

he was tense and he did not know what to

do because rajini was already in pain

and he could not see her suffering but

he did not know what to do at that time

he felt as if the bicycle was suggesting

to him

you know an idea and suddenly he felt

that he knew what to do he placed some

clothing on the bar of the bicycle okay

the crossbar he placed some clothing

a kind of betting was made a makeshift

bedding and then sudhir Babu placed

rajini on the bicycle and you know he

rolled the bicycle to the uh hospital

that was the only way which he could

think of you know to get his wife to the

hospital in time

and there was no problem because finally

they reached the hospital and there were

two nurses who attended to his wife

immediately and so they Babu felt that

they were you know uh forms of goddesses

mother incarnate he uses this phrase

because their son was born you know

without any problems successfully rajini

was fine and their son was out so fine

so he thanked those nurses but sudhir

Babu was ever grateful to his bicycle

for you know taking him out of this

difficult situation helping him just

like an intimate friend would do

okay

then

it is interesting to see that sudhir

Babu had named his bicycle Veer Singh so

because of all these important roles

that the basic had played in his life

thought that he must have a name for his

bicycle and he chose the name Veer same

okay now actually his decision was

inspired by you know the horse whom we

all know as the horse of Maharana prata

who had played an important role in the

Battle of haldighati which was fought

between Maharana Pratap and Akbar okay

so we all know this famous horse you can

see those pictures okay and then the

other

was buceyphilis which was the cause of

Alexander the Great and accompanied

Alexander the Great in all his important

conquering missions okay

so he felt that his bicycle was no less

than Chita or bucephalus and he thought

that his bicycle too must have a name

and he named his bicycle

veersen okay someone who is brave

because you know he considered life to

be a battle he considered life to be a

struggle and who was his companion uh in

the struggle it was the brave bicycle

and that is why he chose this name Veer

Singh okay

so from

now on uh we will know that the bicycle

was not just a thing an entity but it

was like a family member member who had

a name okay and you know in the story it

is said that often when uh sudhir Babu

would ask rajini to bring you know

coconut oil or with some added kerosene

to clean uh the bicycle the purpose of

cleaning the bicycle

would say originally please give me the

oil because I have to attend to be the

same okay so he would use this name and

he would address the bicycle using this

name

there how did veersen helps Veer Babu

during his retirement so we saw how the

bicycle helped him you know when he was

a college professor and he went to

college every day how it helped him uh

in his in you know in his relationship

with his wife and his family members his

children okay and uh how it helped him

uh in his relationship with his friends

the account of the picnic okay so we saw

all that but how did Veer sin help

sudhir Babu during his retirement after

he retired from service even then the

bicycle had an important role to play in

his life sudhir Babu taught English in a

college and his entire professional life

was spent in the company of Veer say

okay after retirement too the bicycle

took him around the city helping him

carry out many necessary tasks so there

there are many important tasks even for

a retired man okay so so Babu visited

the government treasury regularly for

pension okay then he went to the library

to keep up his reading habit and he

attended literary meetings okay we sent

to him everywhere his friends remarked

that Veer sen was The Elixir or the

magical portion the magical liquid that

kept him young and

energetic despite advancing age so

everyone told sudhir Babu that

you know the secret of his youthful

energy was his bicycle because of his

bicycle sudeep Babu was young and

energetic in spite of his advancing age

okay

then

if this was the relationship between

sudhir Babu and his bicycle

why did the bicycle lie neglected for

five long years that is an important

question why was sudhir Babu born from

riding veersen who asked him not to

write Veer sane anymore

okay what happened five years ago sudhir

babu's bicycle had crashed headlong into

a telephone pole you can see the image

of a telephone pole on screen

Babu had actually gone on a visit to his

friend's house

and what happened

his bicycle

crashed directly and launched directly

into a telephone pole so he fell down he

was hospitalized and the bicycle was

damaged

when he returned from the hospital three

days later Veer sane had been consigned

to a corner in a varinda in The Veranda

of the house and he was barred from

writing it by his son okay so the when

he came home from the hospital uh Sunil

Babu saw that Veer sale had been

consigned to a corner Consignments put

in a place where old things are dumped

okay so now the bicycle was of no use it

was damaged and it was dumped in a

corner of the veranda and sudhir babu's

son

strictly told him not to ride the

bicycle any

now sudhir babu's son did not uh

sell the bicycle he did not try selling

the bicycle because he understood that

his father had great emotions for his

bicycle and he respected those emotions

but he was very strict that sudhir Babu

should not ride the bicycle anymore so

he did not repair the bicycle either he

did not sell it and he did not repair

the bisect okay

so that was how the bicycle lay in that

corner for years

so all these memories they came to

sudhir Babu as he stood there gazing at

his bisector so then you know when he

thought of all these things

uh no emotions

Rose in him like never before and he

took a cloth and he cleaned his bicycle

immediately

okay whatever he could do he did it and

he cleaned the bicep

now at that time no one was around okay

his grandson was busy in his studies and

his daughter-in-law was cooking and his

son had gone out for work and rajini was

somewhere in the backyard doing

something so there was no one to watch

sudhir Babu okay so what did he do he

tried getting the bicycle out of The

Veranda onto the road he tried it it was

difficult because the tires were

deflated and the bicycle was damaged

because it was really difficult still he

managed to somehow drag the bicycle into

the road

because no one was there to see him and

no one was there to stop him from doing

whatever he wanted to do so now there

was a kind of resolve in his mind he was

determined to do something what was it

he was determined to get his bicycle to

a repair shop because he was deeply hurt

by what his grandson had told him okay

and uh you know he also uh was heard

that for his grandson a new bicycle had

been bought a red uh you know very

vividly colored bicycle which also had

shock absorbers so it was a new model of

my cycle and uh he understood that

because the boy owned such a new model a

brilliant model he was critical of this

old model uh you know which his Grand

and father and

so he was deeply hurt and he

would take the bicycle to the repair

shop okay so he took the bicycle to uh a

famous repair shop which was named

banmali's bicycle repair shop so the

person who was famous for repairing old

bicycle was one month so he managed to

drag his bicycle to that particular shop

and he told banamali that he wanted his

bicycle to be transformed uh you know

into a new uh Veer sale and at any cost

and banmali also promised that he would

do his best and he told sudhir Babu and

it would take him about seven days to

complete the work okay

so

here you know sudhir Babu left the

bicycle there and he returned home seven

days passed and he went back to get his

bicycle now what did he see the bicycle

was

prepare and the bicycle looked totally

new he could not recognize you know that

damaged bicycle of his because it was

not damaged anymore it was totally fine

and it had a new look okay of course it

was painted and new and uh it was

shining and he could see that his Veer

sin was back in shape it was no more

just a bicycle anyone would consider

garbage but it was his Brave and

brilliant veersen back okay so he was

really happy with the work that

butnamali had done and whatever balamali

charged it whatever amount one Mali

charged him he paid the entire amount

without any bargaining see it was in his

nature to bargain had it been any other

thing he would have bargained with the

shopkeeper but not for Veer same because

you know he now felt so happy to have

his old friend back and even he

considered the bicycle his brother now

something more than a friend brother

weird sen he even calls the bicycle

brother okay

so

um you know he felt really happy with

the work that one Mali had done and the

bicycle was now totally

now the bicycle was brought home and

everyone was shocked to see the new

bicycle rajini his son his

daughter-in-law and the most important

reaction was from his grandson Turner

when the boy saw the transformed bicycle

of his grandfather he was impressed and

he immediately forgot all his earlier

criticisms he was happy that he had two

bicycles now without even seeking

permission from his grandfather he said

that he had two bicycles now and he

concluded that veersen would be the

right bicycle for him as he was growing

up day by day

without waiting for his grandfather's

permission he trundled the bicycle

wheels he rolled the bicycle from the

verinda and he wrote us okay

how does the story end

now sudhir Babu was really satisfied

looking at the reaction the positive

reaction of his grandson towards his

bicycle because we're saying okay the

story ends with the satisfied sudhir

Babu sitting down to write his poem so

he had left his poem unfinished he could

not write the poem and then now when he

had prepared or refurbished his bicycle

okay and it was uh good as new okay now

he wanted to go back to his way this

time words were ready to come to him and

he could feel another poem growing

within him burgeoning within him growing

okay so another poem was growing within

him

he was able to write the poem this time

he was sure that his grandson would like

this poem as it was likely to represent

the new age like his transformed bicycle

so this time he was sure that his

grandson would like

this particular Point why because it

would be written in a new style just

like his old bicycle had been

transformed into something new okay so

the way this story ends

it gives us a hint about you know how a

writer should also reinvent himself or

herself

taking the present age into

consideration that even a writer must

write about new things or if a writer is

writing about something old he or she

should write about that in in a new

style so that the present day readers

would receive the writing real okay they

would also like the writing so in a way

the symbol of the bicycle and how it was

accepted by the grandson when it was

transformed okay so that also gives us

an idea about the writing process how

you know the writer also needs to keep

up with the time and how the writing

style must also be such that the present

day readers the model readers would

accept a particular prose or a poem or a

story okay so now you see we have read

this particular story this beautiful

story

about the bicycle a bicycle you know

when we talk about a bicycle it is about

something you know that is uh you know

old riding a bicycle is not fashionable

these days because those who can afford

a a scooty or um a motorcycle a bike

okay those who can afford it they

definitely go for those things it is not

fashionable to ride a bicycle of course

those who cannot afford the other things

they uh ride bicycles but uh you know

the way people are becoming uh more and

more affluent these days I mean they

they have money so you know there is

also this idea that someday in the

future we might not see a bicycle on the

road anymore it would be completely out

of fashion okay but you see this

particular story has been written about

a bicep in such a beautiful way that

even today even if you write a scooty or

a bike a modern bike with all those

accessories even if you are writing that

you will have memories of your first

bicycle ride you will have feelings for

your bicycle that is perhaps now not

being used or is perhaps now lying

neglected in a corner of your home so

this particular story is an example of

how the a story about a bicycle would

appeal to readers of today in the same

way as it would appeal to readers of let

us say 10 years before or 20 years

okay so that is the story of the bicycle

I hope you like the story and I hope you

would uh have this urge to remember your

bicycle memories and start to write down

a poem or a story or even a paragraph

about your experiences of riding a

bicycle thank you