A spirited voyager

TROUBLED WATERS, choppy winds and whales? yet, he put his best foot forward! During his 20-month voyage across the globe, Major A K Singh has seen the secrets of the ?water world? that few know. Among is most memorable experiences is this one: Having set sail from Bay of Biscay in England to Mumbai in 1985, on Trishna, the soldier stared death in the face near Malta. ?That was for the first time we saw a whale,? recalls Major Singh, (Retired). As we were drifting on the water with the help of winds, a huge splash and a whirlpool broke the silence.

Tale of a physically challenged major who decided to fight all odds.

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TROUBLED WATERS, choppy winds and whales… yet, he put his best foot forward!

During his 20-month voyage across the globe, Major A K Singh has seen the secrets of the ‘water world’ that few know. Among is most memorable experiences is this one: Having set sail from Bay of Biscay in England to Mumbai in 1985, on Trishna, the soldier stared death in the face near Malta. “That was for the first time we saw a whale,” recalls Major Singh, (Retired).

“As we were drifting on the water with the help of winds, a huge splash and a whirlpool broke the silence. An almost seven-metre whale appeared in front of us. But it soon disappeared in the deep waters.”

The soldier thought that was all but the ‘shiny creature’ re-appeared.

This time much closer to the boat; sending shivers down the spines of the soldier. “We thought it was the end,” he recalls, but as fate would have it, the ferocious creature disappeared in the deep waters again. Thankfully, without any damage.

Though such instances were many, but this being the first instance of this kind, it left an indelible mark on his memory, says Major Singh. The journey from English Channel to Mumbai took four months. But the bigger adventure was on the cards from Mumbai to other places in the world. His crew included five others.

But the spirit of adventure in the soldier refused to die. Within a couple of years of his accident, he planned a voyage across the globe. His seniors in the Army were surprised but the major was adamant and determined.

The Major has the distinction of competing in water sports at the international level as well.

All the six crew members were Armymen from Mumbai. So, why did they did not begin their voyage from here instead of England? Major Singh explains, “…

Because we had gone to England to buy a boat, which we named ‘Trishna’ later.” The boat cost Rs 6-6.5 lakh.

Moreover, the journey from Bay of Biscay was a prelude to the bigger sail and challenging adventure.

The Central Government had extended its support to the voyage and ensured the semi-diplomatic coverage. The most exotic of experiences on the second voyage was at the Galapago Islands. “We had studied about Charles Darwin, but seeing a place that was associated with him really excited us,” he said.

In 1835, Charles Darwin sailed on the British ship HMS Beagle and visited the Galapagos. His writings on the theory of the ‘Origin of Species’, which, shook up the scientific world, were inspired by the living proof that he found in this unique Archipelago.

His observations and studies of 14 different species of finches served Charles Darwin as proof for his ‘Theory of Evolution’ from natural selection. The route to Galapagos Islands was via the Panama Canal, and Brazil.

But before Major Singh reached the exciting islands, his artificial limb broke in the Pacific Ocean.

“It was the most difficult time during the voyage, as we were out in the ocean with hardly any life or help around,” said the soldier. Despite this, the soldier never put off watches (duty on board). “My crew members congratulated me for my effort and their words kept me going even in those hours of turbulence,” he recalls.

The voyage took a toll on the soldier. “Sometimes I used to wonder why I had undertaken the voyage.

For whose sake? I would have been better with my family members rather than fighting in the sea,” he said.

The fifteen-and-a-half month voyage via Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean covering New Zealand, Australia, Andaman Nicobar Islands finally ended at Mumbai. This way we completed our voyage,” said Major Singh.

The support of his family members including his wife Dr Asha gave him the courage. “I feel that people must fulfill their dreams, so that they do not repent later on,” said Dr Asha.

Last year, Major Singh and his wife went to the the Tall Ship Adventure organised by the Jubilee Sailing Trust.