Press Release
Hardworking Cycle Delivery Boys Fulfilled Their Family’s Dreams, Became An Online Sensation Overnight
Mumbai-based cycle delivery boys Kamlesh Thakur and Shadab Khan are on cloud nine these days as they have become one of the sought after faces on social media. Their everyday struggles have not only made thousands of netizens inspired but also made them believe that nothing is impossible if you have strong determination in your heart.
Kamlesh, the 29-year-old Mumbaikar had quit his education after 12th standard to support his family financially. He has been performing deliveries on cycle for four years in Mumbai and he used the income generated from his jobs to marry off two of his sisters. He cycles 12-14 hours daily, making deliveries for Swiggy to make a sustainable living.
His motto throughout the journey was to never underestimate any profession and not to give in no matter how grim the situation gets.
“My survival tip in the fast-moving city is no job is small and you need to stop giving into peer pressure. I was the sole bread earner in my family and making the ends meet was completely on my shoulders. I had two unmarried sisters and getting them married was my biggest responsibility. I had to quit my education after 12th standard so that I can provide financial aid to my family. I got a job in Swiggy and cycled almost 14 hours a day to get the food delivered. Last year, I got my sisters married using my earnings made from deliveries on the cycle,”Kamlesh Thakur
Shadab has another inspirational story. He rides 10 hours a day on a cycle to sell Pavs to groceries, restaurants and households and at night he drives cabs to earn extra money so that he can fund the education of his daughter who wants to become an engineer. He also stressed how cycling acted as a stress buster in the whole scenario.
“I started this double shift when my daughter expressed her desire to get herself enrolled in a good engineering college. But it was impossible for me to arrange that much money. So, I decided to work day and night. During this phase of earning money, cycling to work not only helped me to save money, it also helped me to be fit and reduce stress. It was like meditation for me,” said Khan.
Both the unsung heroes of our society have recently participated in a group cycle ride, organised by Hero Cycles and The Smart Commute Foundation (SCF), on the World Bicycle Day (June 3). Their efforts were recognised and honoured by the cycling giant Hero Cycles, who presented them their high-range Lectro-E-Bikes. The cycling giant honoured many such unsung heroes recently on the World Bicycle day when they organised a group ride here for students from the students of L S Raheja School of Architecture and delivery boys of various app-based food companies. The SCF team has also been carrying real-life stories on their digital handles of people who have found ‘Bicycle’ as a means of livelihood. These crusaders don’t just pedal to answer the hunger call request of their customers, in reality, the job of a delivery boy on a cycle helps them earn their daily bread for the families.
“We at Hero Cycles strongly advocate and be at the forefront to ensure that every cyclist on the road should have a fair share of the road, be respected and ride safe. To celebrate World Bicycle Day, we gave safety kits including Helmets, Blinkers and Lights to delivery boys from various food delivery companies who tirelessly ride to deliver food and make a living. As a gesture of goodwill, we also presented two Lectro ECycles our premiere electric offerings to enable the delivery boys to ride hassle free effortlessly and be safe on the roads,” said the spokesperson from Hero Cycles.
About HMC
The HMC Group with a $ 1.2 bn asset base and over 10,000 people across the globe comprises of the bicycle giant Hero Cycles, Auto parts manufacturing companies - Hero Motors, ZF Hero Chassis Systems Pvt. Ltd, and Munjal Kiriu Industries Pvt. Ltd, hospitality arm Munjal Hospitality and luxury home décor products company Oma Living.
Incorporated in 1956, Hero Cycles Limited is the largest cycle manufacturer in the world. The company has a manufacturing capacity of 7.5 million bicycles per year, with its unit in Ludhiana (Punjab), Bihta (Bihar) & Ghaziabad (UP). The company has a highly integrated plant in Ludhiana Ghaziabad (UP) and Bihta (Bihar) and a state of art manufacturing facility is Sri Lanka as well. The Ghaziabad facility also manufactures automotive rims and various other auto components for global automotive giants. In addition to the aforesaid the group also owns UK-based Avocet Sports and FireFox Bikes in India. While Avocet Sports was Hero Cycles’ first overseas acquisition and marked the company’s entry into mass segment of European bicycle market, the acquisition of Firefox Bikes was a strategic move to cement its position in the fast-growing premium bicycling segment in India.
Hero Cycles is a leader in both the standard and special bicycle segments in India, with an overall market share of about 35 per cent. The company is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and the most modern machinery. A nation-wide distribution network with over 3000 dealers and the favourable location of its plants near vendors support its operations and facilitate competitive pricing of its bicycles. Hero Cycles also exports to various countries in Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.
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