BIMTECH Professor launches memoir of adventurous bike trip to Europe and Middle East “EURODASH’79”

Idea of an adventurous bike trip enthralls one and all even today however not everyone can find time, strength and motivation to take such long trips. This despite having the luxuries of cell phones, GPS, advanced motor bikes and enhanced facility at most remote areas.

Indeed we have the fortunate chance of meeting a very special group that took the unimaginable bike journey to middle east and Europe in 1979. Lack of maps, funds and well-planned itineraries couldn’t stop these 7 individuals from embarking on a 100 day long trip.

We met four of these individuals at the launch of ‘EURODASH’ 79 : The Quest a book written by one of the riders, Akhil Pandey.

Prof Akhil Pandey, Chairperson-CMDC, BIMTECH, Gr Noida wrote this book about an adventurous journey he had taken along with six of his friends of Tata Steel in 1979, to the Middle East & Europe on Motorcycles covering almost 20,000 kilometres, in 100 days on a shoestring budget. This book has been published by Bloomsbury.

The launch was graced by renowned academician and policy adviser Dr. Pritam Singh who inspired one and all present with a very enlightening address. He said, “The tale of this journey serves as a tool to teach management lessons to the younger generations. In a time when there was no internet, no GPS and no much facilities, these guys achieved what even modern people would think a lot before trying. It also reminds us all of the fact that some fraction of madness is very important to make yourself great. You cannot be great by doing ordinary things”.

BIMTECH Director Dr. H Chaturvedi said, “I was very impressed by the anecdotes being shared by Professor Akhil and we wanted that world should know such inspiring story. Particularly the incident where the group was passing through the desert in 50 degree heat and without water and were almost on the verge of fainting, how were they save by a complete stranger truck driver who even didn’t knew any common language. Such stories are very important to be known by all and to make them motivated”.

Guest of Honor YS Kapadia also wished the writer all the best and congratulated the EURODASH 79 team for their magnificent feat.