He was running up along the narrow-tarred road strewn with fallen brown leaves. Nobody is supposed to take that path, which runs uphill flanked by forests on both sides. A locked gate at the entrance of the path with a notice clearly states it is Defence Land and entry is prohibited. My cousin and I cast a glance at each other realizing that we had a partner in crime here. All this while we thought we were the only adventurous ones violating rules on a cloudy Saturday morning. The sight of a man running up that path in a blue jersey sharply contrasting with the surrounding greenery was however splendid. “Wish I could shoot a video!” I exclaimed. “Go ahead,” said my cousin. “Oh! I can’t do that without seeking permission.” I retorted.
It was just another day in Shillong and I was out on my usual morning walks with my cousin. On this day, we could not control our urge to walk the narrow-paved road that ran uphill through the jungle. The fact that entry to the road was prohibited had always intrigued us. With heavy rains the day before, the pathway was wet and almost completely carpeted by brown leaves, only alluring us even more. When we saw a small opening in the fence on one side of the locked iron gate, we just had to crawl right in. It was bliss as there was nobody other than the two of us. Not until we sighted our runner.
As the runner reached the top, he paused to drink water and that was my opportunity for introducing myself and seeking permission for shooting a video. It turned out that he was an ultra marathoner and his name was Banajit. I was mighty impressed to know that he had several famous marathons under his belt, including the world’s highest ultra marathon – the 72 Km. Khardungla Challenge. Also known as Ladakh Marathon, it is one of the toughest marathons that tests the limits of human endurance.
It was an astonishing moment for me as I never knew that we had such accomplished runners in Shillong. I got introduced to marathons in Bangalore and somehow never connected it with Shillong even though I was aware of the Sohra Marathon, an annual event held in Meghalaya.
Describing himself as an ordinary runner, Banajit appeared completely oblivious of his incredible achievements. His passion for running was anybody’s guess as he casually talked about his running experiences. Banajit’s humility stood out and I found myself wondering what a lucky day it was to just randomly meet someone like this. We talked for a while and exchanged phone numbers. I shot a video with my phone and we went our way.
During the course of our interactions, Banajit mentioned about a fellow runner from Meghalaya, called Asif, who had also run the Khardungla Challenge. Asif stays in Bangalore and Banajit insisted I connect with Asif when in Bangalore. I did not pay any heed to it as I knew once in Bangalore none of that will happen. There’s no time, you see!
Afterward, Banajit shared Asif’s blog post on his Khardungla Challenge with me. It was a fascinating read and I had left behind a comment. That was way back in the month of May and I had forgotten about it altogether. Sometime towards the end of July, I received a message in Instagram from Asif thanking me for reading his post. Asif visited my blog and found me in Instagram. Our common Shillong upbringing resulted in an instant connect.
Subsequently, one fine morning Asif and I, along with another friend, met up over a cup of coffee in Bangalore. It was an instant connect like we’ve known each other for a very long time. Not surprising, that’s how it is when you meet someone from your hometown in another city. The genuineness and warmth of Asif’s personality touched my heart. His modesty and humility matched perfectly with that of his friend, Banajit. Besides his IT job here in Bangalore, Asif coaches aspiring long distance runners. Every weekend he himself runs 30-35 Km or more. He talks about these long-distance weekend runs so casually that it just leaves you wondering – where does he get the motivation to do this every single weekend and that too after having a fulltime demanding corporate job.
I wish I could be an Asif or a Banajit, but that’s wishful thinking, maybe for another life.
My meeting and connecting with Asif and Banajit seems like an act of providence. I feel totally blessed to have connected with such inspirational people. Asif and Banajit belong to that group of people who are high achievers, in their own right. Yet nobody knows them and not like they care.
People like Asif and Banajit are stories to be told. Do visit the links below to read their experiences of the tough Khardungla Challenge.
Asif Ahmed: http://asiforyou.blogspot.com/2017/09/my-tryst-with-khardungla-challenge-2017.html Banajit Barman: http://theshillongtimes.com/2018/11/11/local-runners-need-recognition/
Seasons of Life! 
Life is such an interesting journey. I’m sure it must have been even more interesting in person than what you can describe here in your post. Blogs and SM makes it easy to connect with people.
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Yes Arvind! You totally got it as you’ve had similar experiences I know. And, meeting you in person was just as wonderful! I do consider myself to be extremely lucky to have connected with all such wonderful people and that too through the Internet!
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I agree. It is virtual world that makes it possible to connect with strangers; and how lucky we are to have this opportunity. The feeling is mutual, Neel! 🙂
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Thank you, Arvind 🙂
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You r an awesome girl & destined to meet such interesting persons in life! God gifted? Oh yes surely, but part credit goes to your beautiful cousin from Shillong too…. you bet I know it! Don’t you ? 😀
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Oh yes, ADR, how can I not know that! 😀
Thank you for reading my post…and for your compliment too. I hope destiny continues to bring such beautiful people in my life. 🙂
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As I had mentioned earlier about that Shillong’s connection 🙂 It is wonderful to know a person a like you Neel. There is so much to learn from your humility and attitude. I wish to have a trekking in Himalayas with you in future. God bless you ..
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Thank you for reading, Asif! Fortunate to have met someone like you 🙂
Going for a Himalayan Trek together is a fantastic thought. Hope that happens sometime 🙂
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What a wonderful read Neelanjana !! Thank you for sharing the inspirational stories of Banajit and Asif. It’s great to know that they are Shillongites as well. They and you make us very proud. Keep penning these wonderful pieces. Good luck !!
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So nice of you to read this, Shamita. And leaving behind a comment too 🙂
Thank you for your encouraging words!
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A nice inspirational story there! Such tales of determination and grit give a boost to your own aspirations. I just love that forbidden pathway – it is right up, well, my alley! 🙂
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Thanks for giving it a read, Narendra. That pathway was simply fantastic and meeting an ultra marathoner in that place made it even more memorable. I will write an elaborate post on that place soon.
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I look forward to your detailed post. 🙂
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🙂
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Walking the Khrdung La is something I’ve spent years thinking of. Running. Wow!
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Totally! They seem to be made of steel 😀
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Inspiring! travelling is not only about exploring new places but also about meeting such interesting people along the way.
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Absolutely! The people only make it all the more interesting. And, thank you for giving this a read despite already knowing all the details about this story 🙂
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Humility is a great quality, and in achievers it makes for great combination; they make for attractive personalities. Good that you met them and shared your experiences here. Reading your blogs is a wonderful experinece, as it makes one aware too of the happiness and experience one can fan from even the apparently most ordinary of experiences.
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Anushtup, first of all I am super delighted to see you reading my post. It has been a long long time. So, a very big thank you for that. I am so glad you read this piece with so much interest. Asif and Banajit are superstars for me 🙂
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Thank YOU do much for saying this. I’m so happy. Yes, such humility, and described by you so lovingly – you really felt it, it’s obvious. Hence a lovely read.😊😊
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The two hyperlinks at the end are not working, though.
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Thank you for pointing that out. I have fixed it now. Looks like you are the first person who tried to know more about them as nobody else has mentioned this for far 🙂
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Thank you 👍👍
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Very interesting to know about Marathoners. You are really lucky to get some awesome connections. Keep exploring !
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They are some awesome connections indeed. Glad you read this post and left your thoughts 🙂
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Hi! You would be surprised to find another women Ultra Runner from Shillong. She has completed 2nd Khardungla Challenge this year. Both the time her Khardungla Challenge was followed by full marathon in one day gap.
https://thelogicalindian.com/get-inspired/rephica-becky-pde/
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OMG! This is fantastic! I had no idea. What an achievement. It’s so inspiring. So so proud of her……Thank you so much for sharing this story 🙂
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