Kargil, 1999. A war hero returned home to his proud family. The loss of a leg would have shattered the strongest of men, but Col (retd) Satish Mallik was made of braveheart mettle. Before long, not only did he master normal activities, he also resumed his all-time passion — motorcycling!
The desire to prove to himself that a physical disability can be overcome with an indomitable spirit, the wish to travel across India, and the will to keep the spirit of adventure alive, spurred Col (retd) Mallik to embark on a riding feat that proved true his words: “If you have the resilience, you can do it.”
THE BEGINNING
What set the wheels in motion was when Group Captain C N Satish from Artificial Limb Centre, Pune, proposed starting a motorcycle riding team of amputees in 2014. Col (retd) Mallik and three other members took up the challenge to ride to the central most point of India.
Supported by an able team — Dr Satish, Col Abhijeet Dey (a rider) and Maj Ambily Kutty (a nursing officer), the riders set off on a round trip from Zero Mile Stone in Nagpur. They travelled to Chikhaldara, across the Melghat Tiger Reserve, and past the Lonar Lake to Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and returned to Nagpur. A sense of elation reigned supreme when the Vidharba Ride was successfully accomplished in seven days. Confidence level boosted, the riders were geared for more.
Inspired to conquer other parts of India, Col (retd) Mallik went on short trial rides in and around Pune, with his wife Anjali riding pillion to boost his morale. In November 2015, he set off with four other riders, to North-East India. The 12-day ride started from Jorhat in Assam. They went on to Mokokchung, Wokha and Kohima in Nagaland, Imphal in Manipur, to the surreal Floating Islands in Loktak Lake, and back to Jorhat via Kohima, Dimapur and Kaziranga National Park.
IN THE LAP OF LADAKH
The ‘Beyond Brahmaputra Ride’ served as a prelude to a daunting plan to reach the Mecca of all riders — Ladakh. Bikes were shipped to Jammu in July 2016; a 10-day adventure was on the roll. The security situation in Srinagar and south Kashmir compelled the team to alter their route and ride from Jammu to Leh via Pathankot, Mandi, Manali and Sarchu. The ride from Pathankot to Manali was wet but scenic, along the Beas River which was in full spate. The ascent to Rohtang Pass fuelled the excitement as this was the team’s first high-altitude chase. A steep descent culminated in a lamb curry and rice lunch at Khoskar.
On reaching Sarchu, they continued through the Gata Loops — a series of 21 dizzying hair-pin bends. Several tea breaks later, they entered the More Plains. Soon after, the riders hit the Pangong Lake Road to arrive in Karu. A stop in Leh town allowed a traditional Wazwan lunch, shopping, and a visit to Shanti Stupa and a war museum. Enroute to Pangong Tso Lake, crossing challenging water streams was well rewarded with sightings of yaks, wild horses and marmots.
Reaching the top of Khardung La Pass at 18,380 ft, was the climax of this trip. Photos were clicked and momos devoured at the world’s highest motorable road. The return journey included a stop at Hunder, a stunning white sand desert in the Nubra Valley, where the bikes were abandoned for a while to ride on Bactrian camels.
THE LAST STRETCH
In 2017, Col (retd) Mallik realised that only the western and southernmost points of the country were remaining to be covered. When father-son duo — Abhijeet and Ridham Dey — decided to do an all-India ride at one go in 45 days, Col (retd) Mallik joined them to cover the distance from Bhopal to Bhuj, to the westernmost village of India — Guhar Moti, near Narayan Sarovar/ Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, and back to Pune.
After a short break in Pune, the team started off for Kanya Kumari via Belgaum, Bengaluru and Madurai. They breezed past hundreds of windmills before touching the southernmost tip of Kanya Kumari, and Thiruvananthapuram and Kuttanad in Kerala near Alapuzza, which is India’s lowest point at 7.2 ft below mean sea level.
READY FOR MORE
Navigating rough terrain and countering harsh weather conditions can be challenging, especially when riding for 12-13 hours at a stretch. Protective riding gear served well against bodily damage. Frequent breakdowns, food poisoning, mountain sickness and rogue drivers were some of the obstacles that had to be dealt with. Auto spares, repairing equipment and extra fuel helped tide over pitfalls, and every breakdown was taken as a lesson to be learnt from.
Col (retd) Mallik, who started riding at 18, took it up seriously at the age of 23. A passionate traveller, he says, “It’s a beautiful world out there and you need to go out and see it. There will be hindrances and problems, but those experiences will make you a better human.”
About his plans, he says, “I have probably touched all directions, but much else remains to be seen.” And much more will be achieved too, in terms of remarkable feats, for, when this ambitious dreamer with a steely determination sets his heart on a mission, he achieves it!
- Munirah Kheraluwala
