Scaling new heights
By Ghanshyam Gupta

GIRISH, the first person to go alone on the world’s highest motorable road (Khardungla) on a bike, is at present scaling new heights along with his friend Sudarshanan. These young adventurers crossed the harsh landscape of Kargil recently. Last year Girish Mylandla crossed Khardungla (18,838 ft), Thanglangla (17,769 ft) and Baralacha (16,000 ft) in Ladakh on his 350 c.c. motor cycle. But this time he is not alone. He is accompanied by a young police officer of Chennai. These young riders crossed National Highway-21 (Himachal) on September 2 on their way to Manali and Leh. Girish who is the first person in the world to hit these tough roads solo, said that all vehicular movement from Kargil to Dras took place under the cover of darkness, so to cross that 12 km-long stretch was a tough job. But, he adds, "I enjoyed every bit of this adventure".

Born and bred in Chennai, Girish started these expeditions about 14 years ago. In the first expedition, he covered 10,128 km in 49 days. On March 9, 1996, he set off on his first solo expedition to Leh. In this expedition, he covered 12,000 km in 41 days. During this trip he had to cross 17 landslides between Doda and Banihal on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. The next year, Girish visited Khardungla. This time he covered the distance in 14 days. The expedition from Kanya-kumari to Khardungla was for him an experience of a lifetime. Girish has had myriad experiences. At Thanglangla, he was overjoyed to see wild horses, while at Rohtang Pass, he faced the murderous onslaught of fierce winds.

Girish and Sudarshanan have undertaken this expedition not for setting any record or for any monetary benefits but for the sake of sheer adventure, and the need to tap hidden reserves. Girish says these long trips recharge him and help him promote his business when he gets back home.

His friend Sudarshanan felt overjoyed when he entered Himachal Pradesh. Though extremely fond of Himachal Pradesh, they said they enjoyed experiencing Indian life in all its hues. They were deeply moved when in Rajasthan they saw the women drawing water from 1800-foot deep well. Both of them were warmly welcomed by people of Himachal and Rajasthan, Mylandla proudly says, "My motor-cycle has not had a puncture during this expedition."

Their expedition has been sponsored by Royal Enfield Motors Ltd. The riders are going to cover 15,000 km in 60 days. They will reach Chennai on September 27. The riders will be crossing trans-Himalayan ranges up to Kangla Tongbi in the north-east sector.

Girish, who is a businessman by profession, says that with financial assistance from corporate companies, he would like to undertake expeditions along the silk route — from Delhi to Tehran in Iran, Paris etc." He says the primary aim of these expeditions is to inspire the youth of India to undertake hazardous journeys and imbibe a sense of adventure in life. By inculcating the qualities of courage, fortitude and patience, a man can face the trials and tribulations of life with confidence. Moreover, these expeditions enable one to be familiar with the varied culture of India.