Kerala lottery seller has already covered length of 2 lunar trips

Raju hasn't been to the Moon, but in 43 years he has cycled a distance equal to two trips to the Moon and back. While a Moon trip costs millions, Raju is cycling around to sell lottery tickets that create millionaires out of common men.

Raju, of Madhavalayam in Karoor, Ambalapuzha, begins his lottery rides at 4.30 am. At 63, he celebrates 43 years of his venture on bicycle. Rising at 3.30 am, he cycles his way through Thottapalli, Thrikkunnapuzha, Pullukulangara, Kayamkulam, all the way to Karunagapally.

Raju reaches Karunagapally by 10 am, moves around nearby places and returns home by 6 pm. He would be covering a neat 100 km daily on an average. Raju has cycled nearly 15 lakh km already if a rough calculation is made. (The Moon's average distance to Earth is 384, 402 km. It also called a lunar distance.)

He says he doesn't normally eat during his ride, unless he finds a good shop. Otherwise he keeps his appetite under check by drinking water, and sometimes a sharbath.

Raju and his siblings used to run a tea shop. Since it wasn't beneficial he launched the lottery sale.

Raju's wife Leela supports his long rides, but disagrees with his habit of skipping meals. The couple has two children.

The weather never inhibits Raju. He keeps on cycling with his tickets.