Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Aug 7: Siddiwin Shetty (28), who resigned from his software job in which he earned a handsome salary, has completed more than 18000 km on his bike throughout India and also hoisted the flag of Tulunadu at Umling La, highest peak in the world and Mount Everest base camp.
Siddwin loves trekking. On May 6 earlier this year, he started his Himalayan journey on his bike from Udupi and went across India, Nepal and Bhutan. After completing 21 states and five union territories, he returned back to Udupi on July 19. He also visited highest mountain peak in the world Umling La (19024 feet) and Mount Everest base camp (17598 feet) along with highest Shiva temple in the world of Tunganath.
Siddwin is the son of Suresh Krishna Shetty and Sujaya S Shetty couple. He completed his primary and high school education at St Mary’s School in Udupi and went on to do PU at GM Vidyaniketan in Brahmavar. He later obtained an engineering degree in computer science from Nitte college. He was interested in trekking right from childhood. His ambition was to visit all Shiva temples of India along with trekking. Siddwin had the ambition to hoist the flag of Tulunadu at the highest peak in the world. That is why he worked hard for the same.
Siddwin said, “I started my journey silently by informing only my parents and sister as I was aware that covering a distance of 18000 km on bike is not an easy task. However, due to the constant support of my family members, I was able to achieve the same. I came across several bridges, landslides, floods, rivulets, snow areas, sand, rocks, mountains and thick forests during my jouney. I have weathered temperature of 50 deg plus to minus 16 deg C in my sports t shirt. I did not use any skin protecting creams or thermal stockings. From the time I left home, till I returned, I did not take any allopathic tablets. Sometimes, I used to eat only once a day. I did all these tests on myself to check my endurance and I am proud that I have passed it extremely well.
“During my bike journey, I had the good fortune of watching the sculpture of more than 100 temples, gurudwaras, churches and mosques. I also got an opportunity to mix with people of all religion and interact with them and know their culture and practices. I also met the officials of defence forces of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Throughout my journey, people of every state helped me a lot.
“The topmost achievement of my journey is that of scaling the Mount Everest base camp at a height of 17598 feet within six days without any guide. I am proud that I was able to hoist the flag of Tulunadu there. My knee cap was injured a year ago, still I was lucky to complete this huge challenge. Officials of Mount Everest base camp have given me a certificate of appreciation too,” he said.