A.V. Ravi from Kolar, popularly known as Gym Ravi, has earned fame. Known as a fitness expert, Gym Ravi has gained recognition not only in India but also abroad. Recently, he also acted as the lead in a movie titled “Purushottama.” While all this is on one side, Ravi is also well-known for his social service. But he is never someone who has ever desired publicity for his social work. Such a person—Gym Ravi—has now come forward for yet another major initiative. This is truly a significant act. Therefore, yielding to the insistence of some friends, Ravi organized a press conference with the intention that this initiative might serve as an inspiration to others. What Ravi shared in the press meet brought tears to the eyes of emotional listeners. Even the members of Sree Raghavendra Chitravani who were present at the press meet were visibly moved and emotional.
Ravi began by recalling how he came from Kolar to Bengaluru and won the first prize in a bodybuilding competition held at Town Hall. “We come from a middle-class family in Kolar. We used to eat ragi mudde daily, and only during festivals would we get to eat rice. But my mother was a great inspiration to me. A noble mother who taught me the lessons of life. She used to say: ‘It’s okay if you cannot be a part of someone’s happiness, but always stand with them in times of sorrow. Always stand with folded hands before elders.’ This is what my mother taught me.
While life was going on like this, my mother passed away. A few months after her demise, my father came to me and said, ‘I am deeply saddened by your mother’s passing. So, please take me on a pilgrimage to Kashi.’ At that time, I didn’t have any money. I told him in a slightly raised voice, ‘That won’t be possible now, let it go.’ A few months later, he asked again. I consoled him by saying, ‘I will take you by flight.’ Some days later, I borrowed money from friends and booked flight tickets for my father’s Kashi pilgrimage. I told him over the phone about it. He was very happy. But fate had its own plan. Within a few hours of me telling him, my father left us. His dream of going on a Kashi pilgrimage died along with him.
That very day, I made a decision: I must fulfill my father’s wish. Since he couldn’t make it to Kashi, I should arrange a Kashi pilgrimage in my father’s name for a few underprivileged people who are otherwise unable to go. It has been fourteen years since my father passed away. From then until today, I have been saving money for this. I kept a hundi (collection box) and continued collecting funds. Without spending extravagantly, I put in anything from 10 or 20 rupees to even up to 1,000 rupees in the hundi.
Now, the time has come. Under the guidance of Jagannath, a senior officer in the commercial tax department, and his family, on July 2nd, I myself will meet and lead a team of 101 people, including about 80 underprivileged individuals from various parts of the state. We are making all arrangements — from covering their travel expenses from their hometowns onwards. On the morning of July 2nd, we will depart from Bengaluru Airport to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama. From there, we go to Prayagraj, and then to Kashi. This is a three-day pilgrimage in total. We have arranged AC vehicles and AC room accommodations at all locations. Along with us, doctors and volunteers will be present. It is our responsibility to ensure that no invited guest faces any discomfort.
I never had the intention of promoting this matter. But friends and senior journalist K.S. Vasu said, “You should share this with the people — it can be an inspiration to many.” Sudheendra Venkatesh from Sree Raghavendra Chitravani said, “We will organize the press meet from our organization. You can share this there.” So, I have shared this before you,” said Gym Ravi.
He added, “If God makes it possible, there is a plan to organize similar programs even in the future.”
