Latest news with #Jariwala
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
This 70-year-old Surat textile tycoon pedals 40 km daily and 300 km yearly to Shirdi on same Rs 2,000 Atlas bike from 1990s
Suresh Jariwala , a 70-year-old textile businessman in Surat , begins his day at 5.45 am with a 30-40 km bicycle ride , a practice he has followed since 1972. Despite owning several new cars and electric two-wheelers, Jariwala chooses to ride a basic Atlas bicycle he purchased in the 1990s for Rs 2,000, a TOI report stated. Fitness by routine, not display "I ride because it's part of me," said Jariwala, who is well known in Surat's business community for his fitness habits and consistent lifestyle. His choice to cycle is not for show or sport but as a personal commitment to health and discipline. Jariwala's cycling routine began when his factory was located in Surat. Even after the unit shifted to Ankleshwar in 1982, he continued the practice. His commute included a 3-km cycle ride to Surat station, a train journey to Ankleshwar, and a final 4-km ride on another cycle kept at the station. He followed this pattern every day without breaks or changes. Three-decade-old bicycle still in use The Atlas bicycle entered his life in the 1990s. It is a basic model with a heavy frame. Despite the passage of time, the cycle remains in regular use. The frame remains intact and the wheels continue to function reliably, matching Jariwala's steady commitment. Fitness extends beyond cycling In addition to cycling, Jariwala walks 10,000 steps a day, takes part in races, and joins marathons . Once every year, he cycles 300 km to Shirdi in Maharashtra. His family, a joint household of 22 members, supports and respects his lifestyle. He is the youngest of four brothers, and the family includes members as young as three years old. Live Events Spirit over speed Navin Patel, a fellow textile businessman and friend, said, "Modern bikes are carbon fibre, super light. His is heavy metal. But his spirit? Lighter than wind." Jariwala's story continues to inspire those around him. His bicycle may be old, but his dedication shows no signs of slowing.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
70-year-old Surat tycoon shunts fleet of cars, pedals 40km daily on 3-decade-old cycle
SURAT: A fleet of gleaming cars and electric two-wheelers sits idle in his courtyard, but 70-year-old Suresh Jariwala mounts a three-decade-old, iron-framed Atlas bicycle and pedals into the sunrise. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I ride because it's part of me," said Jariwala, textile tycoon, fitness fanatic, and cycling legend in Surat's business circles. Up at 5.45am, he pedals 30-40km before most pour their tea. He's been at it since 1972. Not for show. Not for sport. But for soul. Back when the factory was in Surat, he rode a Raleigh bicycle to work. The factory's shift to Ankleshwar in 1982 changed nothing - except the commute from his home at Salabatpura in Surat. Three-km to Surat station. Train to Ankleshwar. Another 4km to factory on a second cycle stashed at the station. Repeat. Daily. No break. No fanfare. Atlas came into his life in 1990s. Price: Rs 2,000. Model: basic, heavy, built to last. That's the one he still rides. Thirty years later, frame solid, wheels steady, rider relentless. Home is a joint family of 22. Jariwala is the youngest of four brothers. Eldest brother is 80. Youngest grandchild is three. All admire his discipline. Some try to match it. Few succeed. Jariwala also walks 10,000 steps. Joins races. Runs marathons. Once a year, cycles 300km to Shirdi in Maharashtra. "Modern bikes are carbon fibre, super light," said Navin Patel, fellow textile businessman and close friend. "His is heavy metal. But his spirit? Lighter than wind." No rust. No retirement. Just rubber on road, iron in soul.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
This 70-year-old's love for vintage cycle gathers no rust
Surat: In the courtyard of this sprawling home in the Salabatpura area is an impressive fleet of cars and almost a dozen two-wheelers, some of the electric vehicles. But the owner, Suresh Jariwala, has stayed steadfastly loyal to his decades-old Atlas bicycle. Neither has the cycle gathered rust nor Jariwala's love for the vintage two-wheeler as the 70-year-old still pedals 40 km daily. Interestingly, this isn't just a fitness regimen but his daily commute. Every morning, Jariwala cycles three km from his home to Surat railway station, boards a train to industrial town Ankleshwar, and upon arrival, switches to another cycle kept at the station to cover the 4-km distance to his factory. Though he can easily afford the costliest of modern cycles, Jariwala prefers the thrill of riding his beloved 35-year-old bicycle he bought for Rs 2,000 when it was first launched to much fanfare in the late nineties. A passionate cyclist since 1972, Jariwala has rarely missed a day without pedalling. "I started cycling to my factory in Surat on a cycle made by Raleigh. In 1982, when our unit shifted to Ankleshwar, I began commuting by train. I'd park my bicycle at Surat station, catch the train, and use another cycle kept at Ankleshwar station to ride 4 km to the factory," he recalls. Jariwala wakes up at 5.45am and cycles at least 30 km to 40 km every day without fail. "It's a part of my life," he says. In addition to cycling, he walks over 10,000 steps daily and regularly participates in running and cycling events, including races held in Ahmedabad. Living in a joint family of 22, Jariwala is the youngest of four brothers. His family also runs a textile manufacturing unit in Sachin. The youngest member of his household is just 3, while his eldest brother is 80 — and all look up to Jariwala's discipline and zest for fitness. A decade ago, he began an annual tradition of cycling to Shirdi, 300 km from Surat. Navin Patel, a textile businessman and Jariwala's friend, said, "Today's modern bicycles are lightweight, made with carbon fibre. In contrast, Jariwala rides a three-decade-old, heavy iron-frame cycle. Yet, his stamina and passion for cycling are truly inspirational."
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Resilient 29-year-old steers past shadows of terror
Surat: On May 26, 2006, a summer vacation turned into a nightmare for the Jariwala family in Srinagar. Shivang Jariwala , just a 10-year-old then, was hurriedly disembarking from a bus at which a grenade had been thrown, oblivious to how his life was about to change its course. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Those frantic steps he had taken were going to be his last. But his journey was not destined to end there. The attack, executed by terrorists on a motorcycle, left Shivang with serious spinal injuries that left his lower body permanently paralyzed. For Shivang, it marked the beginning of a challenging journey through multiple surgeries in Srinagar and Mumbai, all unsuccessful in restoring movement below his waist. What he realised over the years was that he was made of sterner stuff, one that transcended his physical limitations. Today, 19 years later, Shivang drives himself to work in a specially modified Suzuki Swift. After receiving approval from the Regional Transport Office, he researched car modifications online and had acceleration and brake controls installed in the steering wheel. He subsequently obtained a driving licence for persons with disabilities. "I drive on highways too. I drive to Mumbai with friends sometimes," he told TOI. The blast that altered Shivang's life claimed four young lives from the Jariwala family: Krishna (16), Fenil (8), Robin (8) and Khushboo (16). "I was bedridden for almost 12 years," Shivang told TOI. Despite this setback, he continued his education, studying at home and attending school with support only to take exams. He completed his Class 10, refusing to let his physical limitations define his future. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With unwavering support from his loved ones, Shivang eventually took to meditation to improve his health and made the decision to join his family's textile manufacturing business, where he now manages bookkeeping and computer work. "Reaching the place of work was a challenge and hence I got my car modified. There has been no looking back since," Shivang said. "Someone has to lift Shivang and take him to the car and later help him get down. But he manages to drive the car on his own," said Hemaxi, his mother.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Resilient 29-year-old steers past shadows of 2006 Srinagar blast
1 2 Surat: On May 26, 2006 , a summer vacation turned into a nightmare for the Jariwala family in Srinagar. Shivang Jariwala , just a 10-year-old then, was hurriedly disembarking from a bus at which a grenade had been thrown, oblivious to how his life was about to change its course. Those frantic steps he had taken were going to be his last. But his journey was not destined to end there. The attack, executed by terrorists on a motorcycle, left Shivang with serious spinal injuries that left his lower body permanently paralyzed. For Shivang, it marked the beginning of a challenging journey through multiple surgeries in Srinagar and Mumbai, all unsuccessful in restoring movement below his waist. What he realised over the years was that he was made of sterner stuff, one that transcended his physical limitations. Today, 18 years later, Shivang drives himself to work in a specially modified Suzuki Swift. After receiving approval from the Regional Transport Office, he researched car modifications online and had acceleration and brake controls installed in the steering wheel. He subsequently obtained a driving licence for persons with disabilities. "I drive on highways too. I drive to Mumbai with friends sometimes," he told TOI. The blast that altered Shivang's life claimed four young lives from the Jariwala family: Krishna (16), Fenil (8), Robin (8) and Khushboo (16). "I was bedridden for almost 12 years," Shivang told TOI. Despite this setback, he continued his education, studying at home and attending school with support only to take exams. He completed his Class 10, refusing to let his physical limitations define his future. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Most Beautiful Wedding Dresses Of The Hollywood Stars Unconventional Experiences in Japan With unwavering support from his loved ones, Shivang eventually took to meditation to improve his health and decided to join his family's textile manufacturing business, where he now manages bookkeeping and computer work. "Reaching the place of work was a challenge and hence I got my car modified. There has been no looking back since," Shivang said. "Someone has to lift Shivang and take him to the car and later help him get down. But he manages to drive the car on his own," said Hemaxi, his mother.
