MRF 79th Kila Raipur Sports Festival 2015 was from 29th January till 1st February. During the visit and walking around the stadium area, I saw a customized truck parked nearby fields. I walked nearer to know what actually it is – something related to nomad travel. – I guess. I too had a similar dream since years but this is what I am watching in real. A middle-aged handsome gentleman was sitting next to the truck with a friend preparing tea. He invited us for tea. Upon the request to know more about the  customized truck below is what he said:

I am Captain Suresh ex-army officer (who served the army for 6 years) from Panchkula near Chandigarh. I was lucky to meet the right kind of people (during the fifth year of service) who were working on herpetology – the study of snakes and reptiles. I took leave and joined them, and it worked. It was like their project was mine and mine was theirs. I was running a project to teach people about snakes and their bites. I do not want to run an NGO. It was my duty to give back something to society and nature because whatever I am it is because of nature and society. Then a thought who will fund my project? Getting funds is a challenge in India. And I started self-funding by giving lectures. Yes, if you wish bigger impact you need an external source such as corporate support. So in short it is a self-funded project.

To have my own freedom and self-funding I started tourism because I love traveling and I can handle this type of machine – Eicher 2010. Only the chassis is shorter because of mountain travel.

The total cost of the vehicle is in lacs after customization. 8 people can sit inside. There is a tent on top of the van which comes out and 4 people can sleep under it.

I question – who drives the van?

He said – He only.

And a helper?

Currently, there is no helper.

And he introduced me to Dr. Desai who is from Mumbai and joined him on his overland truck tours a few days back. He is also a photographer and is on the 3rd trip because the caravan trip is the 3rd trip only. A few times wife joined but due to her busy schedule, she is at home.

I am traveling for the past 25 years. I was having my first caravan in the year 2000 which was also customized out of Tempo Traveler. Then I thought of having something which helps to get self-funding and I have freedom too because I am a photographer, and wildlife expert, especially for snakes and travel. So a total of three subjects I know.

Another question – How do you convince people for overland truck tours?

If you make a good product, you don’t have to convince people. Your product tells about you – He said.

Do you have a website?

Yes – I do, and I am very active on the internet too. I conduct planned tours. Dr. Desai recently joined one such tour for 4 days from Chandigarh to Kila Raipur and back. The next trip is 3 days Hola Mohalla and the next is Teerthan Valley > Mcleodganj and all – 10 days trip.

If in winter I am traveling it will be for example: Chandigarh > Hanumangarh > Churu > Tal Chappar > Sambhar Lake > Jaipur one trip then from Jaipur will take another trip so Jaipur > Tal Chappar > Pushkar And then another tour Pushkar > Bikaner > Kheechan > Jaisalmer > Jodhpur. Another group Jaisalmer > Barmer > Churu like that. By that time it will be summer, and I will be back home.

Tea was ready. Thank you – said I. Tasty it was.

Continue talking.

I have two toilets in the field which I made via a machine that will dig a hole in the field and a tent over it and a folded seat inside to sit for the toilet. I believe the spare tyre of the vehicle should be the best tyre.

How was the sleep last night? – I question Dr. Desai.

The sleep was very cozy inside the van. It is a home away from home. Even during overland truck tours, we don’t have to stop for food anywhere. We make tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner ourselves. It is fun to tour together and make to eat food together.

I can feed 50 people on board – Captain Suresh said.

Very interesting project. I wish you the best of best wishes. And I walk towards the overland truck to have an inside look.