Khordha, July 23: Age is just a number for 75-year-old Gangadhar Sahu of Gudum village under Khordha subdivision. While many people his age prefer a quiet and relaxed life, Gangadhar begins each day with the same enthusiasm he had decades ago — riding his bicycle through the streets, selling fresh vegetables, and staying active through hard work.

Despite having a financially secure family, Gangadhar has chosen a life of independence and purpose. Every day, he cycles at least 15 kilometres through the lanes of Khordha town, selling greens, colocasia, and other fresh vegetables. His daily earnings may be modest, but for Gangadhar, the joy of working and staying physically active matters more than the money he earns.

“I believe that if I stop cycling, illnesses will catch up with me,” says Gangadhar. He credits his daily cycling habit for keeping him fit and energetic even in his seventies.

Gangadhar’s journey of hard work began many years ago. In his younger days, he ran a small shop at Kantachhak to support his family. With limited earnings, he managed to arrange the marriages of his two daughters and ensured that his two sons received higher education. Today, his sons are settled and earning well, bringing financial stability to the family.

His family includes his wife, Khalimani Sahu, two sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and two married daughters. While his sons and their families live in the city due to better educational opportunities for the children, Gangadhar and his wife continue to stay in their village.

However, retirement is not part of Gangadhar’s vocabulary. Every morning, after finishing his household chores and having tea and breakfast, he travels to Khordha. From his son’s house, he takes his bicycle and begins his rounds across the city streets. Besides selling vegetables purchased from local farmers, he also brings produce like colocasia and greens grown in his own backyard.

On days when he sells vegetables grown by himself, Gangadhar earns around ₹500. When he sells vegetables and milk collected from other farmers, his daily income is around ₹200. For him, this routine is not merely a means of earning — it is a way of life.

Since 1998, Gangadhar has continued his bicycle-based business without allowing age to slow him down. He believes that staying active is the secret to good health and that sitting idle can lead to physical decline.

Gangadhar Sahu’s story is not just about an elderly man riding a bicycle. It is a story of self-reliance, discipline, and the spirit of never giving up. At an age when many seek rest, Gangadhar continues to pedal forward, inspiring others with his determination and active lifestyle.