Your Friendly Philosopher & Guide

My father was a lot worried to buy me my first bicycle when I was 17. He knew astrology, and by seeing Saturn in my 4th house in my horoscope he thought vehicles were always dangerous to me. I was a lot influenced by Western Astrology at that time, and had learnt that the lucky colour for Aries is red. Hence I invested in a Red Colour Hero Ranger. To my dismay in the very first 6 months my first cycle was stolen, and that was the first time I ever entered into a police station to file a FIR.

I got another cycle in a couple of months and it was black. My father was totally against black colour and he always thought black brings bad luck. But then very late in my life – I found an astrological secret, according to which if someone has a strong Saturn then black proves lucky to them.

Most successful lawyers have a very strong Saturn, or their 4th lord happens to be Saturn. Fourth lord in astrology is something that covers you – it could be dress, helmet, bag, vehicle, land & house. (My neighbour invested in a white colour Santro and had many problems with it, later he got a black colour Maruti Alto – when I read his horoscope he had Saturn in his 4th house).

No points for guessing my new cycle’s colour – it is black again!

The brochure given out by the BSA cycle showroom mentioned 6 good things about cycling –

Fitness – Cycling encourages healthy behaviour, and increases stamina
Heart – It lowers risk of heart attacks
Weight – It helps in shedding excess weight and flabby flesh
Stress – It helps in reducing stress
Money – no fuel cost, hence you save money
Environment – you help to cut air and noise pollution and traffic congestion

It is a different story altogether that you won’t be respected on the roads if you are seen on a bicycle. Also none will give you any heed when it comes to traffic rules. And as on date cycle in India is considered to be a poor man’s vehicle, so get ready to lose your identity before you invest in one and start cycling.

Of course there is good news in the offing. Big cycle companies are in talks with the government to encourage cycling in metros by providing special tracks for cycles on main roads. If that happens – more and more people will get back to cycling, as it happens in most developed nations. And we can leave behind a cleaner environment at least for our kids.