Thursday, July 25, 2019

A road trip from Kottayam to Russia in 55 days

KOTTAYAM, JULY 25, 2019 00:00 IST



Jomet Mani Poozhikunnel, who will set out on a road trip to Russia from Kottayam on August 5.

A businessman from Kottayam with seven others will begin the journey on Aug. 5

Two cars, eight members, five countries in two months.

On August 5 this year, Jomet Mani Poozhikunnel, a 36-year-old businessman from Kottayam, will set out on an inter-continental road trip from Kottayam to Saint Petersburg in Russia. Over the next 55 days, he will explore and experience the length and breadth of five countries, covering a distance of 20,944 km in the process.

Seven others also

At Coimbatore, Mr. Jomet will join seven other fellow travellers, including four women, who will then proceed in two cars. “The journey will be taken up in two legs — from Coimbatore to China via Nepal and Tibet and then from Vladivostok to Saint Petersburg along the Trans-Siberian Highway. It will never be a straightline drive as we plan to hit some of the key destinations en route, including the base camp of Mount Everest,” Mr. Jomet said.

After spending a few days in Russia, the team will return by flight while their cars will be shipped back later.

The journey is being coordinated by Meenakshi Sai, a native of Coimbatore, who had earlier undertaken a similar road trip across 24 countries to London from her home town.

Social media

The group members, all hailing from different States, started chalking out the trip on a social media platform and decided on making their way to Russia after a thorough research of the route and rules for each country. The hardships, challenges, adventures and excitement they will endure on the drive will be updated through various social media platforms.

During the journey, the team will also also organise awareness campaigns on cervical cancer. “We are planning this trip on a shoestring budget but still it will cost around Rs. 12 lakh per person. The expenses will be met personally while the funds to be raised through donation will be expended towards YESTE, a charity institution in Kottayam,” Mr. Jomet said.

Sabu Thomas, Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, will flag off the journey on the varsity campus at Athirampuzha on August 5 morning. From Kottayam, Mr. Jomet will proceed up to Coimbatore via Kanyakumari in his own vehicle.

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