Profile

About: I was born and raised about 9003.7 miles from Austin in the city of BOMBAY in INDIA! Currently, I am an international student at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook'em Horns!) majoring in Finance and trying to figure out my true calling in life.

Deciding to attend college on the other side of the planet was definitely a transition of sorts. It was difficult in the sense that it meant leaving behind my family who mean the world to me and also my friends who are very dear to me. However, it has broadened my horizons and has helped me gain a greater sense of appreciation for individual differences in others. In the past three years, I have grown to love the beautiful city of Austin. I distinctly remember my first home football game and it did not take long for me to bleed Burnt Orange.

I have always wanted to make a difference, be it a small one, to make this world a better place and I want to take one step at a time, or rather one summer at a time, in this direction. This summer I’ll be volunteering my time in Zambia, Africa by working at local health clinics and on the HIV AIDS program. Next summer will be dedicated to fighting cancer by sharing hope, knowledge and charity across North America.

It’s time for a cure.

Why I Ride

One in two men and one in three women will battle cancer at some point in their lives. I hate to say this, but each of us will have to confront the disease at some point in our lives, as either we, a relative, or a friend will be faced with the greatest challenge of fighting to survive. Quite a grim statement, I know. But that’s precisely why I ride. I ride because I want to better these odds. I ride because I want to bring hope to those currently battling cancer. I ride to inspire others to join the cause.

I have never experienced the immediacy of the pain that this disease can cause. For this, I consider myself extremely lucky and I want to do all that I can to help fight cancer in hopes that someday everyone can be as fortunate as I have been.

Cancer should be in everyone's viewfinder, but unless the disease directly affects people, it often is not. I hope to change that. I ride to educate people on the importance of prevention and early detection so that someday someone’s mother, sister, father, brother, teacher or friend can avoid developing cancer altogether.

I firmly do believe that the cure for cancer is only a “few thousand miles” away. Let’s stay hopeful. We can make it.