B. V. Narasimha Rao, a student volunteer of National Service Scheme (NSS) of Malla Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad started with a slogan; “one ambition - one initiative - one nation”. The goal was to bring awareness on “Cashless Transactions” among the rural people. The path chosen was a 20-day bicycle tour. He shares his bicycle tour experiences - a blend of good and bad, happy and sad, in his own words below-

Malla Reddy Engineering College

On 29 November 2016, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi appealed to the youth to play a key role in promoting cashless transactions in the 'Mann ki bath' program. He said that every young man and woman should educate at least 10 families in this matter. That speech evoked an idea in my mind. Urban people have a fair chance of getting aware of cashless transactions through campaigns and other media. But I felt I need to take up the task to teach the rural people who are majorly illiterate. I felt bicycle tour was a great way to communicate with rural people

I almost spent three days searching different routes to travel by bicycle to Akodara village of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat. As I have a strong desire to join the Indian Army, the kind of physical training I took helped me accomplish my bicycle tour successfully.

On 18th November 2016, I have learned through a popular channel that the first digital village in India was Akodara. So, I have chosen Akodara as destination for my bicycle tour.

Branch Manager, Bowenpally branch, Syndicate has perfectly explained how to do cashless transactions with a mobile device without internet connection. This knowledge has helped me to teach the rural people.  My family members wholeheartedly supported my decision of taking up this awareness bicycle trip. A similar kind of support and encouragement was received from our college principal Dr. S. Sudhakara Reddy, our faculty, our National Service Scheme (NSS) coordinator Mr. M. Balanji Reddy and my classmates for this bicycle trip. The encouragement given by Mr. Deepak Singh Rathod honorable member of Parliament, Sabarkantha constituency, Gujarat is priceless. The permission certificate that I received from Bowenpally Police Station for my trip was really helpful in many ways.

Malla Reddy Engineering College

Actually, my bicycle tour started on 8th December 2016. My first awareness interaction with the rural people happened on the 9th December 2016 in the premises of Masaipet branch, Canara bank.  My journey towards Akodara continued further, crossing the borders of the three states. All along the way, the response that I got from the people made me forget my exhaustion and filled me with the new rejoice. The support and cooperation extended by the political leaders of various levels, panchayat sarpanchs, various public communities and village communities could not be scaled. I reached the village Akodara on the 18th day of my bicycle trip i.e. 27th December. Receiving the congratulations from Shri Vijay Rupani, the chief minister of Gujarat was the unforgettable memory in my bicycle tour. The fact that I could interact with nearly 5,000 rural people and educated them about the cashless transactions gave me immense satisfaction in this trip. Indeed, it is a real satisfaction. Especially, having around 2,000 rural people participated in the meeting held in the place called Valsad, Gujarat brought accomplishment to my bicycle trip. When I reached the college concluding my trip, I was grand welcome by the honorable Member of Parliament, Malkajgiri Constiuency and founder chairman of our college Mr. Ch. Malla Reddy, Principal Dr. S. Sudhakara Reddy, staff and NSS co-ordinator Mr. M. Balanji Reddy. This act has certainly boosted my morale. I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has either directly or indirectly supported the cause. Jai Hind.