By Joe Paraskevas

On the frame of his heavily -laden bicycle ,Pushkar Shah has a sticker that  capture the reason he hascome to Canada. It says " I ride therefore I am".

I am doing something special in my life,for my country and for my world, so I am happy."The 33 years old Nepal native said Monday.Shah left his family 2 and half years agoto begin an 11 years 290000 kilometer to 150 countreis before it ends.

"I am not only cycling," Shah said ."I am preaching Peace and Love.The Earth is not in good condition . There is not much peace left in the world.We need peace and love." The reason shah embarked on such a passionate mission was because there was very little peace and love in his early life. 

His father ,a member of the indian gurkha army , was killed during civil unrest in 1986, Assam province of India,When shah was 17.Later ,as a student ,shah wa caught in fighting between democracy demonstrator and police and was shot in the hand.

That´s the second encouregement for me ", he said.On November ,1998 ,he left his home to begin a round the world journey that has takenhim throughout sothern Asia ,the Orent,Australia and Oceania.He arrived in Vancouver 15 April and plan to cross Canada ,then USA ,the Carribeanand central South America, traveling about 100 kilometer each day.

Circling the globe talking about peace hasn´t guaranteed a smooth voyage.In Auckland,New zealand,someone stole shah´s bicycle and packs.

Even his arrival in Alberta, after a gruelling climb through the Rogers pass,has been marked by setback and recovey.

Shah´s bicycle broked down in Canmore.When he asked for direction to the bus station ,he again happened to find kindredspirit in Mark Hornyansky and Kevin Beggott.

"He ´s a  traveller," said Baggott,a petroleum engineer who put shah up in his calgery home and took him to see his friends at  Lifesport bicycle shop. " Both Mark and I had done a lot of traveling and know that it´s a lot of goodwill from people that helps you.We,had been Nepal.we know how warm and friendly the peopleare."

Baggott admitted his trip has taken extraordinary commitment.

"Sometimes, I am thinking ,when I am alone in the jungle,I don´t have food,I  don´t have money, I am home sick." shah said.

" But if i find one person ,one nice man,it´s okfor me." I need only tomorrow. Tomorrow I will go to another destination and survive.Shah.who has credentials teach in Nepal,is scheduled to speak to student at Capt. John Polliser Elementary School this morning.

1May ,2001