Singapore, 3rd Mar, 2023:Saddled up for an unforgettable adventure, Team NIMAS completed an epic journey “India’s First Seven Nation Cycling Expedition” that covered a mammoth distance of over 5300 Kilometers.As one of the longest rides India has ever seen, the expedition started in Vietnam on 16 Jan 2023 and concluded on 3rd Mar in Singapore, covering Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia in 38 days. During the course of the journey, Team NIMAS charted the historic route that was taken by Azad Hind Fauj, and visited some forgotten places of national importance such as the Battle of Kampar site and Merdika Square in Kuala Lumpur where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose delivered a motivational speech to over 60000 Indians in 1943, met INA veterans, united with fellow cycling brethren, and much more.
Conducted under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence and led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, SM, VSM**, Team NIMAS has accomplished many firsts. Team NIMAS broke the absolute distance record of 5300 kilometers in just 38 days, a feat achieved by no Indian before. The expedition was concluded at INA War Memorial in Singapore.
With India assuming the chair of G20 ushering the world as a knowledge and cultural leader, it is India’s year of “Connect” and connecting especially in the neighbourhood is of prime significance. Taking the universal oneness motto of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” forward, NIMAS cycling expedition in North East and subsequently in South East Asia was launched with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful and in doing so, spread the message of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and strengthen the Indo-ASEAN friendship bond.
Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, SM, VSM**said, “After the successful completion of the first chapter of the expedition in the Northeast, the task & expectation from this expedition grew manifolds. It was time to shift the gears and expand our horizons to Southeast Asia for Chapter 2 with an even bigger mission to do intensive and deeply immersive cycling in our friendly SEA countries.We covered six nations in less than 40 days, by cycling nearly 200kms on certain days through rough terrains, gravel roads, dense remote jungles in extremely warm weather with no facilities enroute at times.Cycling in SEA countries is a deeply immersive albeit strenuous experience that combines authentic local experiences, exciting activities, and enough downtime to really relax and soak it all in. We feel especially elated and humbled for having met INA veterans and learn about the then INA arm called ‘Balak Sena’ that inducted child warriors at an impressionable age of as young as 8yrs.” Colonel Jamwal is the Director of the Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh-based NIMAS and is the only Indian to have climbed the highest mountain of all 7 summits along with 3 EVEREST Summits.
“During this long expedition, we touched upon areas of our historical relevance such as Padang in Singapore from where Netaji gave his iconic speech andwe have already visited war cemeteries and memorials in Vietnam paying homage to martyrs of both nations. On 24 Feb 2023 the team reached the ‘Green Ridge’ at Kampar a historical place where 1300 British and Indian soldiers delayed the advancing enemy forces during 1941’s historic battle of Kampar in World War-2.The team was felicitated by the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia at India House and later on in the evening, Team was privileged to meet Lt. N. Sundaram , 99 years old INA veteran who beautifully narrated the INA stories. Along the way, we tried to propagate the thought of “Fit India Movement” Colonel Jamwal added.
To travel to far-flung areas and all the remote locations of the countries, the team used under-construction or local gravel roads in the interiors, at times mud tracks, and in some cases, they even createdtheir own cycling trails by clearing up the bushes and filling some ditches. The team also interacted with locals and made them aware of NIMAS and the importance of adventure tourism.
The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) offers training across land, air, and water—a first of its kind that allows civilians to experience challenges across a variety of outdoor surfaces as well as pursue a career in adventure sports. Every training program at NIMAS is designed to draw on ideas of self-discovery and individual evolution, much of which is inspired by the magnificent inner and outer journeys of individuals closely associated with the institute. Over the years, the institute has seen a plethora of locals intent on working hard and making NIMAS a success every step of the way.
For more information, please visit: www.nimasdirang.com
