Bhausaheb Bhawar has been pedalling across the country to spread awareness about dowry, female foeticide and education.

During his current visit to Bihar, he was called by governor Ram Nath Kovind, who also issued a letter of appreciation to him on August 25.

Bhawar, 43, is a farmer from Hasnabad village of Jalna district in Maharashtra. He has been cycling for nearly two decades across the length and breadth of the country with the mission to promote national integration and communal harmony besides educating people on social evils like dowry and female foeticide. He did three cross-country tours between 1993 and 2006 and set out on another three tours on January 1, 2007, from Mumbai.

He reached Patna three days ago on his bicycle and will now visit Gaya, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur and other districts. "It will take nearly two months to complete the journey of various districts of Bihar," said Bhawar. He also plans to write a book on his travels at the end of his mission.

Bhawar had started his mission 22 years ago after his family had to pay a huge sum as dowry to get his sister married. He recalled: "All arrangements were made for my elder sister's marriage, when the demand for dowry came just a day before the marriage. On that day, I promised myself to change the mindset of the society. Only making laws will not resolve this problem until the people are aware about it." He believes that the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, by itself does not deter people from receiving and giving dowry, women should stand up for their rights.

"I ride about 50km a day and meet around 100 people on an average creating awareness among them. I have seen a drastic change in Bihar since my last visit. People in eastern states have respect for women but there are also some bad people who defame the state and the country. I left home and family to save the society from becoming inhumane. My duty does not end with my family," added Bhawar.

"Women have started coming forward to speak out against dowry and female foeticide. It is the woman who can bring about a change in our thinking process on these two problems and I am happy that the situation has improved marginally in some states," he said.

Bhawar has gone from door-to-door in several localities and spoken to families on the evils of dowry, drug addiction and female foeticide. He said: "We have to check this problem. The government alone cannot do it. Society must take the initiative and so must our religious leaders."

Bhawar said he would continue this mission till the end of his life.