In a rather unique way to celebrate the nation’s 76th Republic Day , two army veteran Colonel Sujit Dutta and Major Samir Dasgupta from Kolkata have decided to take on the arduous trek to the Everest Base Camp.
Having themselves been inspired by the movie ”Unchai”, both veterans decided to attempt the 12 day, 148 km trek to a final altitude of 18,514 ft.
So, why this trek? In Colonel Dutta’s words-
“For one, we wish to emphasize/ mirror the growing aspirations and capabilities of our country. If 2 senior citizens can overcome seemingly difficult challenges, so too has our nation done the same in recent times.”
“The other important reason is to motivate and nudge our countrymen and youth in particular, to take on adventure sports and thereby being fit and healthy, besides bolstering our cumulative happiness quotient.”
However, since January is unfavorable for such treks, due to very low temperatures ( -20 Degree C), high wind speeds and erratic snow conditions, both veterans will undertake the trek in March this year, unfurling the National flag atop.
Col Sujit Dutta was commissioned in 1980 in the Indian Army, having graduated from the prestigious NDA, Pune and thereafter the IMA, Dehradun. Inspired by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he chose to join the Gurkha Regiment.
Over the next 27 years that he served the Army, prior to exiting early on Premature retirement), he was assigned to various geographies within the country/borders, including high intensity Counter- Insurgency operations in North Kashmir and Manipur.
While being posted in Kashmir as a Major( Specifically Baramulla sector), while in peak militancy operations in 1992-93, he was actively involved/ participated/coordinated multi – locational Counter Terrorism (CT) operations across the vast hinterland.
Later, while commanding his unit , as a Colonel in 2004-05 in Western Manipur, then a hotbed of multiple terrorist groups, anti- terrorist combat operations was a sine-qua- non of sanitizing the vast swathes of hilly jungle terrain.
He had commanded an AR unit in Manipur, Kohima and Arunachal Pradesh too.
According to Colonel Dutta “it was a great experience.The CM of Nagaland happened to be our school mate ( lot senior of course).I was posted at Along for a year.”
Thereafter, after completing his command tenure, he chose for an early exit. Having completed his Management Certification from IIM Ahmedabad, he joined the Corporate stream heading the HR function in various Listed/ Non-listed companies in Mumbai/Pune. And to this day( at age 65 yrs & going strong) he continues to provide his HR expertise to a niche IT product Company in Kolkata( Sector 5).
3 yrs ago he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable auto -immune disease( Mysthenia Gravis) — a neuro debilitating affliction.
However, true to the traditions of the Indian Army, he chose to challenge the the limitations of the disease head -on and has since taken on a pretty active lifestyle – Running marathons, participating in cyclothons, authoring books, attending Zumba classes, etc).
And now , he along with his classmate have decided to celebrate the 76th Republic Day by going on the arduous EBC trek( a 12 day, 140 km odd km trek) and unfurl the National Flag. Since, the weather( snow conditions) and the quake after effects presently are dominant, the trek will be undertaken in end of March this year — a testimony to the resilience of the veteran’s of the Armed Forces.
Colonel Sujit Dutta wants to encourage the fellow Indians to take adventure sports as part of their regular lifestyle.
“Through this adventure trek, we wish to nudge our countrymen to remain healthy and fit and participial in any sporting activity, including Adventure sports.
So, a question may arise, that what adventure sports have they participated in before?
“Well, a few — White water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, and some more. Such sports , pump up the adrenaline and provides a interesting perspective to life— making bonds and friendships with nature and sportspeople across the world, making the world a better place.”
As they say “You have never lived until you have almost died,and for those who choose to fight, Life has a special flavor,The protected will never know!”Colonel Sujit Dutta added.
(Ms.Pratyusha Mukherjee, an Independent Sr. Broadcast Journalist working for British media with 20 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence and Sports.She is associated with us as Editorial head of Defence and Sports. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and Indian media awards for Journalism)
