Mysteriousely Part II thread on "Pushkar Shah and $$$$" vanished from kurakani. Part I really vanished somewhere perhaps in Archive Section, or it may not be there also. Similarly, part II also not there in Archive.

But some remnants can be found at - http://geocities.com/pushkarshah11/

we can resume from this piece from - http://www.pushkarshah.com/

A MESSAGE FROM PUSHKAR SHAH

On November 28, 1998 I set out from Nepal to travel the world on my bicycle in 11 years, covering 150 countries. My goal was to spread the message of peace and to promote my beloved country of Nepal.

As a young man, I experienced first-hand what it is like to lose a loved one to senseless violence, then as a college student I took great pride in my involvement in the student movement to create democracy, only to become increasingly frustrated over the subsequent years with the apparent failure of my country to achieve the democracy and peace for which I had so yearned. It was my sense of frustration and feeling of helplessness to change the situation of my country from within which compelled me to look beyond the borders of Nepal.

I do not officially represent any organization or government. I represent an ordinary citizen of the world, whose birthplace and homeland happens to be Nepal. I am very proud to be Nepali and no matter where I am in the world, I will always speak with great pride about the exquisite beauty of Nepal, of her people comprised of many ethnic and religious groups and of the timeless culture and heritage of a civilization with a long and fascinating history.

I set out from Nepal a somewhat naýve traveler, but ready and open to face whatever challenges and opportunities the world had waiting for me. I have not been disappointed. While I have dealt with many hardships and challenges, I have also had the unique fortune of experiencing incredible warmth, friendship, hospitality and exchange of knowledge and ideas with people the world over. I am convinced that the goodness of humanity is still alive and well and knows no geographic bounds.

When I started out some 5 years ago, I had some very specific notions as to how my journey would unfold and I have always spoken very candidly and openly about my plans. As with all endeavors in life, it turns out that real life experiences have shaped and directed the many twists and turns of my journey and it is the unplanned and unexpected which have provided some of the most interesting and meaningful, if not always pleasant, experiences of my trip thus far. That being said, I would like to take the opportunity to clarify some issues concerning my journey.

Distances biked: All of my distances reported are in kilometers as indicated by the odometer on my bike. Please note that the date on which I update the mileage on my website does not necessarily indicate the actual date the mileage was achieved. Not realizing that there would be such interest in this degree of detail, I admit that I have not always kept record of exactly how many kilometers I have biked on each and every day of my journey; however the cumulative mileage remains accurate. There have also been instances of mistakes in translation and factual errors which have been published in various media. Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to verify everything before it is published and there are probably some cases where mistakes have been printed that I am still not even aware of. After I have completed the South America portion of my journey, I will take the time to recreate this information on a day to day basis to the very best of my knowledge and recollection and publish it on my website for all to see.

Record: At various times, I have considered the possibility of pursuing or setting some type of record. At this time, I am not interested in or a candidate for any record.

Mode of transportation: At the outset of my journey, it was my intent to rely solely on my bicycle to get from one point to the next. Obviously, there are some cases where it is not possible. There have been other cases in which I have chosen to take an alternative form of transportation. My primary mode of transportation is still bicycle.

Finances: I do not have any official sponsor. I am financed by the kindness and generosity of people I meet along the way. I do not have any credit cards, only a U.S.-based bank checking card which allows me to travel without carrying more cash than I need at the time and can be accessed at ATMýs all over the world. There is no individual or organization which, to my knowledge, has ever gained one single penny profit or commission from any donation to me. I usually live day-to-day and hand-to-mouth, with a very small cash reserve for an unforeseen emergency. Sometimes I am offered complementary food, lodging, or other opportunities which I graciously accept. At other times, I am looking for a safe place to pitch my tent and there have been times when I donýt know how or when I will be able to get my next meal. This is definitely not a ýdeluxeý trip! I am presently exploring the possibility of finding a reputable ýpartnerý charity for which a portion of the money I raise can be directed toward helping a worthwhile cause in Nepal and which will give me a broader platform from which to raise awareness of my country.

Public demeanor: It has never been my intention to offend anyone by my remarks or anecdotal stories. I now realize that humor is very subjective and not always perceived or appreciated by everyone as intended. I never anticipated that I would become such a public figure and it is obvious at times that ýpublic relationsý is not necessarily my forte. If I have offended anyone by any of my remarks, I truly apologize and will try to be more aware of what I say publicly and how it might be perceived. I am a mere human being. I make mistakes just like everyone. I cannot guarantee that I will never make another mistake in my life, but I can assure you that I will always try to improve on my shortcomings.

Okay, so some of my original, altruistic plans have changed a bit. My journey around the world, like life itself, is ever-evolving. There are many forces in the universe which are unpredictable and not in anyoneýs control. That is one of the most important lessons I have learned thus farý.in some cases you must just ýgo with the flowý despite the best laid plans. Despite all of the twists and turns and bumps in the proverbial road, the goal of my journey remains unchanged. I continue, in the best way I am able, to spread the message of peace and to promote my beloved country of Nepal.

For those who continue to support me, whether it is a cash donation, a place to spend the night, or simple words of encouragementý.. please know that your support is truly appreciated and that I will continue to do my best to make you proud.

Pushkar Shah

Junin,Argentina, South America

23 December 2003

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And do not forget to listen to interview with Pushkar Sahab by Bijay Kumar at:
- http://www.nepalnews.com.np/dishanirdesh/

It's a re-broadcast on NTV to remind poeple what exactly Pushkar the great claimed and said.