INDIA-NA TRIO

"Guys, I want to do something epic, something to mark where we are in life right now, as single men."

This sentence was what ignited that spark of adventure in three men, taking them 3,500km across India in two weeks with nothing except a rickety tuk-tuk or automatic rickshaw.

In August, the three childhood buddies flew to Shillong, India for the Rickshaw Run. There, they impressed the other teams by sprucing up their rickshaw, affectionately named RSS Lembu (Malay for cow), with speakers, batteries and handphone chargers.

As they set off in high spirits, nothing could have prepared them for the adventure ahead.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

"The first day really hit us hard," laughed Staff Sergeant (SSG) (NS) Nazeer Hussain, an advisor for an offshore company. "It was like we were literally driving on the moon. There wasn’t even a foot of proper tiled road!"

The 33-year-old explained that there were potholes all over the roads, and avoiding these craters took keen eyes, fast reflexes and great manoeuvering skills. As the rickshaw was not in tip-top condition, speeding was a definite no-go. Instead of conquering 500km a day as planned, they had to halve their planned journey per day and travel at about 30kmh.

One particularly memorable incident was when they went on a small road in the dead of the night, against the advice of a local policeman, because "Google Maps said it was the right direction". This decision brought them face to face with a family of wild elephants, forced them up a very long and unstable 50-degree slope, and caused them to almost fall prey to a pack of wild dogs.

Private (PTE) (NS) Mohammad Muneer Khan recounted that fateful night: "There came a point where RSS Lembu wouldn't move at all. So we decided to camp there because it was just one and a half hours to daybreak. It was only at sunrise that we realised we had been sleeping in a cemetery!"

Just push on

But to the 33-year-old managing director of a consultancy company, that sunrise was the best he had seen in years and it made the long, terrible night worth it.

"This trip made me realise that there were a lot of things I took for granted and it was the discipline and 'push-on' mentality I learnt during NS (National Service) which helped me survive this trip," said PTE (NS) Muneer, who was part of the underslung team in 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards.

SSG (NS) Nazeer, an ex-Regular from the Singapore Civil Defence Force, agreed. "In NS, we are taken out of our daily life and thrown into a regimented environment. It pushes and strengthens you mentally, and this strength of mind (I developed) helped me a lot in the Rickshaw Run."

With perseverance, they managed to reach their destination at Cochin within two weeks, well ahead of many other teams.

Adventurers with a heart

Besides a thirst for adventure, part of their reason for joining the Rickshaw Run was to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF). The trio held a fund-raising event on 27 Jun and, through activities such as performing as a band and auctioning off a painting they did together, managed to raise $2,500.

"CCF needs about $5 million yearly. That's why we decided to adopt the charity and help ease the medical expenses for families with kids battling cancer," said 34-year-old Lance Corporal (LCP) (NS) Kamal Mahtani, a sales director who served as a percussionist in the Singapore Armed Forces Band.

"We always tell people why we’re doing the Run and point them to the CCF website for them to donate directly."

As of 5 Sep, they have raised over $5,000 through word-of-mouth for CCF.

Plan big, dream bigger

With one item struck off their bucket list, the three friends already have plans to go on their next daredevil escapade - the Mongol Rally. This features travelling 10,000km across mountains and desert in a tiny vehicle and raising at least £1,000 for a charity of their choice.

Closer to home, the trio also has plans to organise a race for Singaporeans, such as a run from Singapore to Laos, and encourage participants to raise funds for a charity of their choice. "We want to make Singapore known for its philanthropy," explained PTE (NS) Muneer. "Everyone and anyone can make a difference.