Deekshith DV
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 2: Vilma Fedretia Carvalho, at 54, accomplished her dream of a motorbike expedition on the world's second-highest motorable road, Khardung La pass, the oldest woman in India to have accomplished this feat.
At her age, it did really seem a challenging task. It was made possible due to her courage, conviction and strong dedication. Vilma Fedretia Carvalho covered an Himalayan expedition on her motorcycle from 'Leh to Leh' while passing through Khardung La, Nubra, Hunder, Pangong Lake, Ts0 Moriri and reached Leh.
She rode 900 kilometers in 6 days on the second highest motorable road in the world. Out of 900 kilometers of her journey, 500 kilometers seemed quite a challenging and difficult task given the low oxygen level, road conditions and the terrains. With no Internet or electricity in this terrain, a motorbike expedition seemed quite a challenge.
Vilma, who hails from Kundapur, practiced riding a motorcycle on the Yezdi Roadking with the help of her brother. Currently, she is working in Bengaluru as a corporate trainer.
On her first attempt, Vilma could not complete her journey due to a technical glitch involving her motorbike. But, she did not lose hope in her second attempt as she went on to complete the expedition successfully.
She also said that she wanted to take up this expedition in the year 2020 itself, and since then she has been practicing and working on the journey. But, due to the lockdown and the resulting restrictions due to the pandemic besides the threat of looming Chinese aggression, it was not possible then.
Speaking to daijiworld, Vilma said, "I strongly believe in interest, capacity, and opportunity. A person needs to have these qualities to achieve this feat which I am lucky to possess within me. I will do whatever it takes to achieve what I want to in my life. Riding in the Himalayan range was quite challenging. Being a woman it is important to chase your dream because women tend to forget themselves especially after their marriage as they become busy in attending to their spouses needs and in raising a family. Never give up on your dreams. A person needs to be physically fit as well to go on a tour like mine. I trained myself for the last six months before embarking on this journey.”
"She is also my biggest motivator. My son and daughter are my biggest motivators," she adds.
She also recalls that she has many things to do in her life. This expedition was one of her dreams that she has actualized and realised.
Moreover, Vilma was also the first girl to represent the volleyball team from Karnataka at the national level from Kundapur. She believes in sportsman spirit which made it possible to accomplish her dream.