NEW DELHI: Jharkhand’s biker (motorcyclist) girl Kanchan Ugursandi has achieved a historic feat after she became the first biker to reach the Lipulekh Pass, an area known for extreme terrain on the trijunction of Bharat-Nepal and China borders on Wednesday, October 30.
Hailing from Jharkhand’s Saraikela district, Usurgandi had earlier turned heads after she became the first motorcyclist to ride the heights of Umaling-La Pass in Laddakh, the world’s highest road built at an elevation of 19024 feet.
During her recent achievement, Kanchan commenced her journey from the capital city of New Delhi and navigated through the Pithoragarh region of Uttarakhand before eventually reaching the Lipulekh Pass at an elevation of 17500 feet a day before Deepawali.
She has already scaled up 22 such passes in the Himalayas and has achieved the recent feet of scaling the heights in Lipulekh in her third attempt.
My dear countrymen I am happy to share that I have successfully ridden my motorcycle on Kailash Mansarovar Road till the zero point Lipulekh pass at Indo-Tibet Border, I have become the first rider (Solo) who has reached on the top of Lipulekh Pass Zero Point with my motorcycle (Himank). It’s my 22nd Himalayan Pass which I have completed, said Kanchan in a tweet.
I do not say it’s easy I say it’s possible. #BorderGirl
My dear countryman, I am happy to share that I have successfully ridden my motorcycle on Kailash Mansarovar Road till the zero point LIPULEKH PASS , Indo – Tibet Border, (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand).
I have become the… pic.twitter.com/wt06SOqAvs
— Kanchan Ugursandi 🇮🇳 (@BikerGirlkancha) October 31, 2024
A staunch devotee of Bhagwan Shiva, Kanchan who wore his tribal Hindu identity on her sleeves urged PM Modi to consider establishing a Kartarpur Sahib like corridor for Kailash Mansarovar, a sacred site linked with Bhagwan Shiva in Tibbet.
“I would like to thank you PM Modi for turning the dream of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of building a road here into reality, I would request you to build a corridor on the upper area (Kailash Mansarovar) like the Kartarpur Sahib corridor so that Shiva devotee like us can go there on the top and return after worshipping, Har Har Mahadev,” said Kanchan in a video posted on social media platform X.
My take on Kailash Mansarovar Road. #KailashMansaroverRoadTrip #DelhiToLipulekhPass #BorderGirl pic.twitter.com/aRfSlXJqEx
— Kanchan Ugursandi 🇮🇳 (@BikerGirlkancha) October 31, 2024
Meanwhile a number of leaders of Jharkhand congratulated Kanchan for her historic achievement. “Hearty congratulation to Jharkhand’s daughter Kanchan Ugursandi who hails from my home district, for achieving this feet and best wishes for a bright future. The whole country is proud of you,” said former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren on Friday.
Another former CM and senior Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Babu Lal Marandi too post a congratulatory message asserting that “through this, tribal daughter Kanchan has given a message that the daughters of the state are no less than anyone.”
आदिवासी बेटी कंचन ने इसके ज़रिये देश-दुनिया को यह बताया है कि झारखंड कीं बेटियाँ भी किसी से कम नहीं।
शाबाश @BikerGirlkancha , इसी तरह आगे बढ़ते रहिये।झारखंड वासियों की शुभकामना आपके साथ है। https://t.co/HXMMhsXQOm— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) November 1, 2024
It is noteworthy here that the Lipulekh Pass holds immense significance for Bharat due to its strategic location though despite its strategic importance no significant progress was made in terms of infrastructure on the Indian side of the borders for years, making it difficult to navigate in the area even for the armed forces.
The Border Roads Organisation however has recently completed construction of a road up to point zero near Lipulekh, making it easier for the armed forces to quickly move their supplies and manpower in hour of crisis. The same has also paved way for the civilians to reach the borders along benefitting the devotees willing to visit Kailash Mansarovar if the now closed route would open in future.
