Satyen Das plies his rickshaw in Naktala, where he is known as a quiet guy with ‘insane determination’

KOLKATA: It is a 2,500km journey that could unnerve even the most seasoned traveler — mountainous terrain, snow-covered tracks, killer weather and sub-zero temperatures. All this preceded by a grueling 2,000 km ride along the highways that connect Kolkata with the northernmost tip of the country. Now imagine doing it on a rickety rickshaw, running simply on will power.What sounds impossible is the life's dream of Satyen Das, who makes a living ferrying commuters on his rickshaw to and from Gitanjali Metro station in Naktala. The 40-year-old pedaled out on his Ladakh adventure on Saturday and hopes to be back in four months with a record and one hell of a story.Satyen says it's the desire to explore the country that drives his dream. Eight years ago, he wanted to go to Puri but didn't have the money. He promised his wife and son that he would take them there on his rickshaw. They thought he was out of his mind, but Satyen kept his promise.The rickshaw trip to Puri gave him the idea of a longer journey — one that would take him through the vast expanse of north India, traversing through cities that he had heard about and seen occasionally on TV."I had read about Ladakh, the treacherous tracks, the hills and the snow. I always wanted to go there. It's not an easy journey for even those who travel by train or air. I feel my rickshaw is good enough if I have the courage and will," says Satyen, who makes Rs 200 a day as a rickshaw puller.His neighbours in Naktala encouraged him. They even helped raise money for his travel and opened a bank account to fund the trip. Satyen left with Rs 5,000 in his pocket and some warm clothes stowed under the seat of his rickshaw. Members of a club at Bijoygarh have given him an ATM card which he can use to withdraw money on the way. Satyen believes he has got everything he needs."The thrill of seeing new places, cities and meeting people on the way will keep me going. The weather is going to be rough and I will be tired, but I will pedal on," said a confident Satyen.He will journey through Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab before arriving in Jammu. Varanasi will be the first of his longer halts. The next could be Pathankot or Jalandhar. A pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi is long cherished dream.Satyen doesn't quite know how he is going to cover the Ladakh leg of the trip. He is banking on local assistance because he can't read maps, nor does he have one.He has never travelled through hills and is not really prepared to meet the cold and terrain. But he is relying on his "instincts and stamina" to see him through. "I have permission from police and a letter from the local MLA. I will seek help with these. People are generally helpful and I trust them. With a little help I will make it," he said.The climb on the final leg of the trip has him worried, though. "I will have to get off my vehicle and pull it along. It will be very hard."The school dropout is overwhelmed with the help and encouragement he has got. "I would often tell friends about my dream, even though I feared being laughed at. But most thought it was an excellent adventure and goaded me to make the journey. Had it not been for the local club members, I wouldn't have been able to start on this adventure," he said.Debashish Das, a local club official who is raising money for him, calls Satyen an exceptionally brave adventurer. "He is quiet and unassuming but he has a streak of madness, a penchant for taking risks and exploring the unknown. He is a dreamer," he said.Satyen, meanwhile, can't wait to reach Kashmir. "I am dying to see the valleys of Sonmarg and Gulmarg. They must be just as beautiful as they seem in pictures. It would be like being in heaven," he gushed.