Two teachers of The Heritage School in Kolkata complete a Walkathon from Kolkata to Mandarmani in 44 hours and 26 minutes

Covering 137 kilometres in less than two days — an unimaginable journey completed by Akash Basu and Bhaggyadhar Pahar, two teachers of The Heritage School, Calcutta! The scorching summer heat made this an even more arduous task. The men set out from Lake Gardens on April 21. It took them 1,73,263 steps, 44 hours and 26 minutes (calculated using Strava and Step Counter) to finally complete their #walktolive adventure. From twisted ankles to blisters, they endured all of it to complete their mission and promote an approach towards a greener planet.

#walktolive is a walkathon initiative to raise awareness and support the fight against global warming. It aims to bring together people of all ages and walks of life to stand up against the constant damage inflicted upon planet Earth. It’s a unique strategy to promote environment-friendly behaviour and avoid using private vehicles once a week, at least.

Here’s a The Telegraph chat with Akash Basu, one of the two who completed the walkathon:

Could you give us a detailed rundown of the days it took to reach Mandarmani from Kolkata, on foot?

We started at 8.35 in the evening on April 21 from Lake Gardens, travelled on foot for 21 hours and covered 72km on Day One. Initially, we wanted to reach Kadambari (a stop on the way) and stay in a good hotel but it seemed like a far-fetched dream given the heavy downpour. People of the Terapekhia club were kind enough to provide us with a space to rest for four to five hours and we left after the rain stopped, with a plan to cover the remaining 63km (to Kadambari), the next day. On Day Two, we covered a total of 1,35,513 steps in 41 hours and finished off 120km. We took a break in Kathi and planned to continue the next day.

What did you see on the way and how did the people react to this venture of yours when they found you two on foot, walking to Mandarmani?

As we embarked on our walkathon, the hustle and bustle of the city gradually faded away. We found ourselves amidst serene villages, with picturesque landscapes, which instantly lifted our spirits.As we continued walking, we came across a sleepy village surrounded by lush green forests emanating a rustic charm with old wooden houses that showed us how they stood the test of time. We could hear the sound of a rooster crowing in the distance, which enhanced the ambience.

The next village we came across offered a stunning view of the countryside. We walked through narrow lanes lined with stone houses. The villagers were busy tending to their gardens and grazing their livestock but managed to smile at us and wave as we passed by. While walking through these serene spots, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the beauty surrounding us. We realised that sometimes all we need to do to find peace and contentment is to step away from the chaos of everyday life and soak in the simplicity of the countryside.

How difficult was this?

We both got injured during the walkathon from all the stress, so I must say it was challenging. I was uncertain as to whether the hairline injury in my metatarsal bone had relapsed after I twisted my ankle. Bhaggyadhar got five blisters too.

How did you come up with the idea of #walktolive?

I was sceptical about how effective our movement for raising awareness for a greener planet would turn out to be. I was thinking whether the walkathon would be an effective way. Later when both Bhaggyadhar and I spoke with Debabrata sir (Debabrata Bhattacharya, a teacher at The Heritage School) and Sujishnu (Sujishnu Mahato, Akash’s friend), they helped. Debabrata sir gave a concrete shape to our concept and Sujishu came up with the idea of adding the hashtag #walktolive, which, I feel turned out to be a brilliant idea for us.

It sounds quite interesting and challenging. So how would you describe your overall experience and journey of the walkathon?

I am overjoyed to say that we successfully completed a 137km walkathon from Calcutta to Mandarmani, and it feels simply surreal. The journey for sure has been gruelling, challenging and sometimes unbearable, but the support I received from my friends, family, teachers and colleagues kept us going. We are grateful that we managed to push our limits and achieved what once seemed impossible.

The sense of accomplishment is indescribable in words and has taught me a valuable lesson — perseverance pays off! I want to thank everyone who contributed to helping us reach the finish line. It’s time to rest, recover and celebrate. I hope we all move towards a better future and healthy living.

After completing the mission, #walktolive, we were filled with a feeling of empowerment. We took action for a better future. We wish everyone unites and joins us to stand for a healthier planet and show that every step counts towards a brighter future.