Tulu Nadu flag from Udupi to top of the world for awareness, environment

Tulu Nadu flag from Udupi to top of the world for awareness, environment

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 07, 2018:  With an overall aim to create awareness on Tulu culture and tradition and with a message on the urgent need to conserve green cover and judicious use of water.

Bikers from Udupi travelled to Khardung La in Ladakh, the highest motorable road in the world, on their motorbikes recently. They covered a total of 4,600 km to reach Khardung La - 18,380 feet above the sea level - and waved the Tulu Nadu flag. They took approximately one month to complete their journey.

The team, was heade by Kishan M, a resident of Kukkikatte Kasturba Nagara, Udupi, and included Sujith, Sujan, Vinayak Vijay, Rakesh and Prashanth. They rode on their RX135 2001 model bikes.

“On this memorable journey, awareness on judicious use and conservation of water was a lead mantra. We also highlighted on green conservation and the need to increase the green belt in the country,” Kishan said.

One primary aim was to enhance awareness on the need to include Tulu, one of the five Dravidian languages, in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. “For many who do not know Karnataka is only Bengaluru. Our eagerness to enhance the rich cultural legacy of Tulu Nadu is a matter of pride,” he added.

The team left Udupi in June after offering prayers at Kadiyali Mahishamardhini Temple and returned recently.  “We reached Khardung La in  July  and waved the Indian flag and the Tulu Nadu flag,” he said with joy.

From Udupi, they travelled through Bhatkal, Belagavi, Kolhapur, Pune, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu, Vaishno Devi, Sonamarg, Ladakh and finally reached Khardung La. From Khardung La, they visited Turtuk, the last village of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We stayed in Ladakh for two days to adjust our body to the extreme weather conditions. In Rajasthan, we stayed for six days, to visit all the tourist spots. We serviced our bikes in Punjab,” he said.

Kishan, a marine engineer and a biking enthusiast, started Team Hot Pistonz. The team has performed over 60 bike stunts and was the runner-up at the competitions held in Goa and Kerala. The team showcases stunts during Udupi Krishnashtami celebrations.

On the journey, he said, “One needs to be extra careful while riding in different parts of the country as the roads are not known to us. The people were helpful throughout.”

They experienced extreme cold temperatures in the tough terrain. “We had to carry  oxygen cylinders to Khardung La,” he said and added that they rode only during the day and rested during the night.

“We had carried all the necessary equipment including first aid box, tool box, yoga mat, pillow and other necessary items along with us. As it was a long drive, we had to carry all the documents as well,” he said.  They are set for more expeditions in the future.