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Kemmannu: When majority of the present day youngsters find comforts in their bed rooms with computers and mobiles, here was a youth from Kemmannu who peddled 8000 km to Jammu & Kashmir from Kemmannu.

Romel Furtado, now 42 joined a group of 3 other NCC Cadets of Milagres College, Kallianpur who began their journey from Udupi in April 1989. The other three being Ajit Shetty of Milagres, Ramesh Shetty from PPC and Vijay Kumar from St. Mary’s Shirva.

 They travelled 90 days via Goa, Maharashtra, MP, Rajastan, UP, Haryana, Delhi, HP, Punjab to Jammu & Kashmir. NCC had provided them with Maps, Information and recommendation letter along with Rs.20 as daily allowance. Generally they used to rest in NCC office or nearest Police Stations at night.

 Romal has a few interesting stories about the sojourn. Few deadly accidents seen on the roads with dead victims, helping a bike accident victim with bandage from their First Aid Kit, unfound fear about Punjabi truck drivers, who later treated them with dinners at roadside Dhabas, joining and dancing with a marriage group in Punjab are some of the memories fresh in his mind. Having a close look at different cultures and life style are another plus point of the adventure he says.

 Empty handed at the end of the journey with full allowance of Rs.2000 spent, last couple of days cycling with empty stomach from Sakleshpura on way back, a colleague falling sick, reaching Uppinangady and being helped by the Muslim brothers with food and shelter are some of the memories he treasures.

 After PUC, Romel tried his hand in Transport business also worked in the gulf for a few years. Presently he is settled in Kemmannu with wife and only son and manages his business. Compared to the present days youngsters it is the adventurous mind that pushed him to do the unbelievable adventure.

 The cadets’ extraordinary feat was reported in major news papers and weeklies of that time.