Shakti Vel: Guy who took risk to put Islands in the national and global map; Bike trip from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Andaman registered bike in 19 days

Ferheen Ali

Port Blair, July 05: Travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari covering a distance of over 6000 kilometers in 19 days on a two-wheeler is no child’s play. But for Shakti Vel, a native of these islands, it was a pleasure like listening to music. Enjoying India’s diverse climatic conditions under the stars, this Marine Biologist by profession registered his name in the annals of history by becoming the first islander to achieve the feat of traversing from Kashmir to Kanyakumari on his motorcycle.

Shakti Vel started his journey Shakti from the last Indian village in the north “Turtuk” in Jammu and Kashmir to the point where Indian subcontinent ends “Cape Comorin” in Kanyakumari on his motorcycle KTM 200 bearing registration no. AN01K 5517 and completed the journey on June 24. He is also the first person from these islands to ride a bike on the highest motorable path – Kardungla top during the expedition which for which monetary expenses of around Rs 2.5 lakh was incurred.

Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, Shakti Vel, who currently works with the NGO- Bombay Natural History Society, said that he had to first transport the his motorcycle registered in these islands to Kashmir. During the 19 day expedition, I rode for a total 16 days. The reason to choose an Andaman registered motorcycle was to put my islands in the national and global map as it’s not much famous for bikers,” said the adventure biker.

“During the entire journey, people from different parts of the country flanked me wherever I stopped curious to know about the State with which the motorcycle was registered. They offered all possible help when needed and the hospitality was unprecedented. I had a small accident on my way to Kargil, but despite all glitches I managed to complete the journey to Kanyakumari.

I initially faced some difficulties not being much experienced to ride on terrains and highways; but it’s my passion for biking that kept me composed during the expedition. My leg between Gwalior to Nagpur was the fastest which I completed in just 24 hours,” says Shakti Vel adding that he next plans to ride solo to Thailand though Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

A passionate traveller, a scuba diver, photographer, a blogger, Shakti Vel is also a volunteer team member of ghummoandman and team tribesmen (our adventure group). He blogs on travelling 101 at tribesmenblog@wordpress.com. Rhinox Gears sponsored riding pants and gloves for his Kashmir to Kanyakumari trip, while local tour operators, Ghumo Andaman, also sponsored his trip.