Ferozepur, October 7, 2026 (Vikram Ditya Sharma)
A 53-year-old Ferozepur resident has completed a challenging 2,342-km solo expedition across the Himalayas on a 110cc Activa, traversing some of the region’s highest mountain passes and reaching Thang, one of India’s last villages along the frontier.
Rana Harpinder Pal Singh, Assistant Public Relations Officer at Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University, began his journey from Ferozepur on September 23 and returned to the university on Tuesday. He used the expedition to promote fitness and urge youngsters to stay away from drugs and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
One of the highlights of the journey was his visit to Thang, where he unfurled the Tricolour. Located near the frontier, Thang lies close to the Baltistan region on the Pakistan side. During his journey, Singh also interacted with local residents and members of the Balti community, gaining insights into life in remote Himalayan areas.
His onward route took him through Pathankot, Jammu, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Zoji La, Dras, Kargil, Batalik, Lamayuru and Leh before he reached Khardung La. He then travelled through Khardung village, Nubra Valley, Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk and Thang.
On the return journey, he travelled along the Shyok River and covered Pangong Lake, Chushul, Saga La, Loma, Nyoma, Mahe, Debring and Tanglang La. He subsequently crossed Lachung La, Naki La, Pang, Sarchu, Baralacha Pass, Jispa, Darcha, the Atal Tunnel and Manali before travelling through Bijli Mahadev, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Jalandhar and Zira to reach Ferozepur.
During the expedition, Singh crossed six major high-altitude passes — Zoji La, Khardung La, Tanglang La, Lachung La, Naki La and Baralacha Pass. Khardung La rises to around 17,982 feet, while Tanglang La is situated at about 17,480 feet.
Singh attributed the successful expedition to the encouragement of Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Kumar Sharma, who motivated him to undertake the journey and continued to support him throughout the expedition.
He also acknowledged the assistance provided by Indian Army personnel at several points along the route. Abhishek Arora of Apandip Hospital, Ferozepur, also supported the expedition.
“The purpose of the journey was not merely to reach the heights of the Himalayas, but also to convey to youngsters that life needs passion, not drugs. If one has strong determination, neither age nor limited resources can become a barrier to achieving one’s goal,” Singh said.
By covering thousands of kilometres across some of the country’s most challenging terrain on a 110cc Activa, Rana Harpinder Pal Singh has turned the expedition into a message of determination, endurance and healthy living, bringing recognition to Ferozepur and his university.
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