Kundapur’s 57-year-old Wilma Carvalho hoists tricolour at Siachen after 1,300 km bike ride in 8 days

Kundapur’s 57-year-old Wilma Carvalho hoists tricolour at Siachen after 1,300 km bike ride in 8 days

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 18, 2025: Wilma Crasta Carvalho, a 57-year-old bike enthusiast originally from Kundapur, who had earlier drawn attention by riding with her daughter to Umling La — the world’s highest motorable pass — has now achieved yet another remarkable feat.

This time, she completed a challenging 1,300 km bike ride in just eight days and hoisted the Indian national flag at the Siachen Glacier, near the China border, to mark Independence Day. In 2023, she had undertaken a similar adventurous ride with her daughter, Cherish Carvalho, to Umling La.

Biking has always been Wilma’s passion, and she has gone on several rides with her daughter. A corporate trainer by profession, she nurtures a deep interest in exploring the Himalayan routes on her motorcycle.

Setting herself the goal of hoisting the tricolour at Siachen on Independence Day, she undertook the arduous 1,300 km ride. Harsh conditions delayed her plan of reaching the site in the morning, but she managed to accomplish the flag hoisting by noon. This time, Wilma was accompanied by a team of six riders.

“We rode from Leh through the Zanskar Valley, passing Gurkhoon Valley near Kargil before reaching Siachen. At one point, with 60 km still left, we felt like giving up. But we pushed ourselves and completed the journey. The joy of achieving this is beyond words,” she shared.