‘Nation’s 1st patriotic road trip’ brings Jadhav to city

Nagpur: Umesh Jadhav, 40, a pharmacology professor-turned-musician, is in the city after having driven 84,000 kms across the nation in his car to collect soils from the courtyards of martyrs, especially the central paramilitary forces. He is keen to build a memorial at Jammu and Kashmir as a tribute to the heroes.
Jadhav started the “nation’s first patriotic road trip” from Bengaluru on April 9, 2019 and has been driving continuously except during the few months of lockdown last year. Hailing from Aurangabad, Jadhav had shifted to Bengaluru in 2004. Apart from the teaching career, he had even started a musical band.
Before commencing his unique road trip, Jadhav had also collected donation for the families of the martyrs.
On his non-sponsored and apolitical tour in his sedan fitted with a caravan, Jadhav had encountered numerous challenges and hardships. But it also took him on cloud nine on a few occasions like when he was the only civilian invited for the inauguration of the memorial for the 40 Pulwama martyrs on February 14 last year.
Jadhav had then handed over the urn containing the soils from the courtyard of 40 martyrs of the central paramilitary forces. There was yet another moment of glory for him when Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar interviewed him as a part of his ‘Bharat ke Veer’ initiative.
Jadhav, who was moved by the sacrifices of soldiers during the Pulwama attack, wanted to contribute something for the nation in his own way. “I did not took any sponsorship from any corporate company or any political outfit but depended completely upon the contributions from the common people and organizations,” he said.
Some helped him with food, others with fuel. “Another offered to foot my bills for the garage services and maintenance. All were driven by high respect for the armed forces,” said Jadhav.
Most of the time, Jadhav slept in the car. “Irregular sleep and food made me sick but the determination to complete the mission has kept me alive,” he said.
During his fascinating journey, Jadhav came across stories of human sacrifices. “In Punjab, I met the family of a Pulwama martyr. He was engaged and scheduled to get married the same year,” he said.
Jadhav recalled a nightmarish experience when his vehicle had a breakdown in the forest in north-east and managed to continue the journey with help from the locals. “I also had a tough time driving through the Mumbai floods in 2019. My vehicle got damaged,” he said.
Jadhav also met the families of Kargil martyrs and visited the memorials of India’s first commander-in-chief KM Cariappa and also Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw. He intends to wrap up his journey on August 15. “I am planning to visit schools and colleges to share my experiences and inspire the student community,” he said.