Bankura Duo Conquers: Two women from Bankura, Sunita Bagdi and Munna Pal, have achieved a remarkable feat by conquering the Umling La Pass in Ladakh on two-wheelers, earning them a coveted spot in the India Book of Records. Umling La is recognized as the world’s highest motorable pass, presenting an extreme challenge to even the most seasoned riders.
The Epic Journey
The duo, both members of the Bankura Exploration Nature Academy, embarked on their grueling expedition on October 3rd of this year. They were accompanied by two male co-travelers: Sheikh Alimuddin (a businessman) and Sukanta Pal (a teacher). The four adventurers set off on their separate bikes towards Umling La, navigating through the challenging terrains of Srinagar, Kargil, and Leh.
Despite the severe weather conditions, all four successfully reached the summit on October 16th, maneuvering their bikes to the 19,024-foot high pass in Ladakh. Their journey also included a brief stop at the Siachen Base Camp. After a challenging 14-day ride, the four adventurers returned safely to Bankura on October 25th.
Recognition and Triumph
Sunita and Munna have been jointly recognized as the first Bengali women explorers to achieve this success on a two-wheeler, bringing immense joy and pride to their local community. The official certificates from the India Book of Records recently arrived, validating their extraordinary achievement.
Sunita Bagdi, a doctor at Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, shared her exhilaration: “I’ve done trekking before in 2019, but I always had a deep desire to ride a bike to Ladakh. The moment the opportunity arose, I bought a bike and set out on the expedition. Initially, I was a bit scared, but my determination far outweighed my fear later on. Our teammates constantly gave us courage. I never imagined this feat would be recognized by the India Book of Records. The joy of this recognition is hard to put into words, and I would love to embark on similar expeditions in the future.”
Munna Pal, a teacher at Bankura Mission Girls High School, emphasized the wider impact of their success: “This victory is not just for the girls of Bankura, but for all the girls in the entire state. I was the only member of the team to ride a scooter to Umling La, while the others were on bikes. This expedition would not have been possible without the support of the Exploration Nature Academy and the excellent guidance of our team leader, Alimuddin. My husband and son both encouraged me on this journey. The India Book of Records’ recognition has significantly amplified the joy of our success.”
The extraordinary determination and successful journey of these two women serve as a powerful inspiration, demonstrating that with courage and resolve, even the world’s highest motorable pass can be conquered.
Read More: NCC Naval Cadets Complete 410 km River Expedition from Farakka to Kolkata
[…] Read More: Bankura Duo Conquers Umling La, Sets India Book of Records Mark! […]