JANMEET
The Tale of a Rebel with a Cause
By: Manokriti Bedi
As the name suggests, Duniya ka Dost, Janmeet has long been more than just a man on a motorcycle — he’s been a friend to the world. Especially to the rider community, where he’s not only known but deeply cherished. Most call him Janmeet, but if you’ve ever ridden with him, you probably call him JPS — because, quite simply, he works better than GPS. One ride with him and you’ll know: this man doesn’t just chart roads — he charts experiences, emotions, and transformations.
Born into a world of ever-changing horizons, Janmeet’s childhood was a whirlwind of new cities, new schools, and ever-fleeting friendships. As a Fauji kid, he lived in transit — every three months meant a new classroom, a new canteen, a new playground. But Janmeet wasn’t the kind to linger in the shadows. Like sunshine slipping through the blinds, he lit up wherever he went, making friends with the kind of ease only a genuine heart can muster.
His academic journey led him to the University of Petroleum in Dehradun, a master’s degree in bustling Bangalore, and eventually into the sleek glass corridors of a corporate cybercity. Everything seemed mapped out, precise — until one whimsical Christmas evening changed everything.
That night, as Janmeet and his sister wandered out to buy cake, driven purely by their sweet tooth, they were stopped by three underprivileged kids asking for some spare change. Without much thought, the siblings handed out ₹10 each. To their surprise, the kids beamed with uncontainable joy. That moment lingered. It whispered something deeper: “It’s the little things that change the world.”
And just like that, Janmeet’s heart tilted towards something more meaningful. Inspired, he began working with an NGO — not just as a token CSR gesture, but with the fire of someone who had felt the magic of human connection. Yet, the echoes of his family’s wishes — steeped in service and structure — nudged him to find a balance.
So, at 28, the rebel made a choice. He merged passion with purpose and birthed The Riding Roots, a venture for bikers, dreamers, and soul-seekers.
“When you ride, you engage all five elements. That’s where your roots come from,” he smiles. A decade later, Janmeet is not just a rider; he is a riderpreneur, an architect of roads less travelled, of lives rediscovered.
His first tour was nothing short of poetic — a couple rode down from Mumbai to Uttarakhand. Janmeet had curated every turn, every stop, every view. “It was thrilling and terrifying — I was trembling inside,” he recalls. “But fear never solves anything. You ride through it.”
Not Just Boys and Bikes
The road isn’t only paved for the boys. When asked if he prefers men or women riders, Janmeet shrugs off the idea. “A rider is a rider. Gender isn’t the gear that drives you. I’ve seen women conquer all seven continents on two wheels — it’s all about mindset.”
And with mentors like Mr. Hardeep training women specifically, the roads are slowly but surely opening up for more female bikers — bold, resilient, and unafraid to ride their own story.
Is It Safe to Ride?
With a mischievous grin, he chuckles, “If you’re married, riding might just be the divorce speed!”
But his tone shifts as he draws a parallel: bikers, like soldiers, know the risks. Riding brings you intimately close to the fragility of life. “The only constant on the road is impermanence,” he reflects.
India lacks dedicated infrastructure for riders. There are no ride-specific taxes, and few roads are truly meant for superbikes. Janmeet has tamed the Hayabusa at 180 km/h, but with clarity: “Power demands responsibility. Ride smart. Gear up. Be vigilant.”
He scoffs at those who ride for show — “If you’re flexing, you’re not riding.” A true rider respects the journey, not just the Instagram moment.
Of Tours, Transformation, and Togetherness
Some see riding tours as vacations — but under the helmet, it’s endurance, discipline, and soul-searching. Janmeet compares it to being a teacher on a field trip. “From planning routes and fuel stops to emergency back-ups — there’s no break till the final ride is done.”
But oh, the rewards. He watches novices bloom into confident travelers. “People come in as strangers, and leave with lifelong bonds. Some of my closest friends are Riding Routers.”
Janmeet welcomes all — young, old, mopeds or grand tourers, cisgender, transgender — every soul longing for the open sky. What matters isn’t the machine, but the mind behind the visor.
Reviving the Himalayas, One Ride at a Time
More than just a rider, Janmeet is also an environmental crusader. With his biker gang in Chandigarh, they’ve initiated an annual waste-collection ride, cleaning trails in Chandigarh and Kasauli.
But not everyone shares their passion. “Once in Orissa, I watched a man throw a plastic bottle straight into Chilika Lake — India’s largest. It shattered me.” Yet, he rides on, fueled by hope.
Riding: The Spiritual Symphony
What makes riding truly magical? It’s the brush with divinity — a connection to something greater. “Riding is like flying, except you still feel the earth,” he says. It’s thrilling, yes. But also humbling.
Up in the mountains, as the wind hums and silence speaks, you begin to heal. To seek. To connect.
His advice?
Stay hydrated. Carry oxygen. Be prepared. And never — ever — forget your humanity on the road.
In the End…
Janmeet is more than a rebel on wheels. He’s a seeker, a mentor, a guardian of the roads.
“I was once a rebel without a cause. Now, I ride with one.”
And with every turn of the wheel, he reminds us — the real journey is not about the miles covered, but the self-discovered.