Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jun 28: Rajendra Shenoy and his son Prajwal Shenoy from Shirva, Udupi, achieved a significant feat by hoisting the Karnataka flag at Khardung La in Jammu and Kashmir on June 26.

Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, stands at an elevation of 17,982 feet above sea level. Rajendra and Prajwal embarked on their journey from Udupi in early June, traveling by train to Delhi. From there, they continued on their Hero Honda Splendor bike, traversing through Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, before finally reaching their destination.

The Shenoys covered approximately 2,100 kilometers over the course of 10 days. Along their journey, they paid their respects at the grave of Capt Vikram Batra, a hero of the Kargil War, and other soldiers who lost their lives in service to the nation.

Prajwal Shenoy described the challenging conditions they faced and said, “In Rajasthan and Punjab, we experienced scorching temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius with hot winds. In contrast, the Jammu Srinagar route had temperatures plummeting to minus 5 degrees with snow-covered hills. The narrow, stone-strewn roads in the hilly areas posed a risk of landslides and deep abysses on either side. We travelled through desolate areas with minimal traffic and faced roads filled with stones and water.”

The father-son duo had initially aimed to reach Umling La, the highest motorable road in the world, at an altitude of 19,024 feet. However, due to adverse weather conditions and low oxygen levels, they had to cut their journey short and returned to Udupi.