Col (Dr.) Ashwani Kumar, MiD, VSM (Retd.)

4 JAT Regiment – The Fazilka Saviours

From the Battlefields of 4 JAT to the Highways of India, An Army Brat Carries the Warrior Spirit Forward.

The extraordinary motorcycle expeditions of Shivgeet Singh Hooda are more than records of endurance. They are a celebration of military heritage, lifelong comradeship, family pride and the timeless spirit of the Indian Army.

Some journeys are measured in kilometres, some in hours, but a few are measured in memories, values and legacies passed from one generation to another. The remarkable cross-country motorcycle expeditions of Shivgeet Singh Hooda belong to the last category.

When Shivgeet covered thousands of kilometres across India, setting remarkable benchmarks in long-distance motorcycle riding, he did much more than demonstrate physical endurance and determination. In his own way, he carried forward the spirit of courage, discipline and perseverance that he inherited from a family deeply rooted in the traditions of the Indian Army.

For me, this achievement has a particularly personal significance. I have known his father, Col Shakti Hooda, since 1982. We grew up together in the fraternity of the illustrious 4 JAT Regiment, popularly known as the Fazilka Saviours. We were not merely colleagues; we were comrades who shared the demanding life of a soldier, operational responsibilities and countless memories that remain etched in our lives.

A Friendship Forged in the Battlefield.

Shakti and I served together during the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka. We were neighbouring Company Commanders, sharing the responsibilities, challenges and uncertainties of operational life. We also spent countless nights together, both along the Jammu and Kashmir borders and in the challenging operational environment of Sri Lanka.

Those were not ordinary nights. They were nights of operational alertness, difficult decisions, uncertainty and mutual dependence. The bonds forged in such circumstances go far beyond professional relationships. They become lifelong friendships built on trust, courage and the knowledge that a comrade will always stand beside you when it matters most.

Our association goes back to Jan 1983 when joined the unit in the Snow bound area of Bimber Gali popularity known as BG near Rajouri. I was present in the unit when Shakti and Geeta got married in 1984. I subsequently watched their family grow, and Shivgeet was one of those children whom we saw growing up within our extended regimental family.

I remember Shivgeet as a very small child in Dehradun and Mhow. I watched him grow through his schooling at Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Cantt., through his formative years and eventually his marriage.
Today, seeing that same little boy emerge as an accomplished motorcyclist undertaking extraordinary journeys across the country fills me with a sense of personal pride and emotion.

For me, this is not simply a story about a young man setting records. It is the story of a family I have known for more than four decades, a friendship forged in military service and a legacy that has found expression in the next generation.

Two Extraordinary Expeditions Across India.

Shivgeet has undertaken two remarkable cross-country motorcycle expeditions, demonstrating exceptional physical endurance, mental resilience and determination.
His first achievement was the Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari expedition, covering 3,696.7 kilometres in 54 hours and 44 minutes. Traversing the length of India, from its northern reaches to its southern tip, was an extraordinary test of stamina, concentration and perseverance.

His second achievement was equally remarkable. On 30 October 2026, he completed an East-to-West cross-country motorcycle expedition from Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh to Koteshwar in Gujarat, covering 3,686.4 kilometres in 51 hours and 31 minutes.

His achievements can be summarised as follows:

First Expedition: Kashmir to Kanyakumari

• Distance: 3,696.7 kilometres
• Time: 54 hours and 44 minutes

Second Expedition: Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh, to Koteshwar, Gujarat

• Distance: 3,686.4 kilometres
• Time: 51 hours and 31 minutes
• Completed: 30 October 2026

These are not ordinary road journeys. They require meticulous preparation, physical conditioning, mental alertness, navigational discipline and the ability to overcome fatigue and unpredictable challenges.
Long-distance motorcycling at this level demands extraordinary concentration and the determination to continue despite physical exhaustion and difficult conditions. It is a test not merely of the machine but, more importantly, of the human mind and body.

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from India’s eastern frontier to its western shores, Shivgeet has demonstrated an exceptional passion for pushing the limits of human endurance.

Beyond Records: A Story Worth Telling.

The significance of Shivgeet’s journeys also finds expression in the wider motorcycling community.
A feature preview shared from Rynox Gear’s Instagram page carries an evocative opening line: “Some of the best riding stories never make it past…”

It is a thought-provoking observation. Behind every extraordinary ride lies a story that may not always be visible in the final record: the preparation, the sacrifices, the uncertainties, the physical demands and the determination required to complete the journey.

Shivgeet’s story deserves to be told because it represents much more than speed and distance. It is the story of an Army child who grew up witnessing the discipline and courage of soldiers and has chosen his own way of expressing those values.

His journeys demonstrate that the warrior spirit is not confined to military operations. It can find expression in adventure, sport, professional excellence and the determination to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

The Battlefield Legacy: Courage, Discipline and Never Giving Up.

What makes Shivgeet’s accomplishments particularly meaningful is the military environment in which he grew up. The Indian Army has a unique way of shaping individuals. Its values are not taught merely through words; they are demonstrated through the lives of soldiers. Discipline, courage, comradeship, commitment and sacrifice become part of everyday existence.

The experiences of the Kargil War and the sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the Sri Lanka operations remain enduring chapters in our military history. For those of us who served, these are not merely historical references. They are memories of comrades, operations and the extraordinary challenges faced by soldiers in difficult circumstances.

Having served alongside Shakti in Sri Lanka and shared the demanding operational environment of Jammu and Kashmir, I understand the meaning of military endurance and determination. A soldier learns to remain steadfast when circumstances are uncertain, to maintain his composure under pressure and to keep moving towards the objective despite adversity.

The battlefield and a cross-country motorcycle expedition are obviously different worlds. Yet certain qualities remain universal: preparation, discipline, mental toughness, courage and an unwavering determination to complete the mission.
Perhaps this is where Shivgeet’s military upbringing finds its most meaningful expression.

A Father’s Pride and a Regimental Family’s Joy.

For Col Shakti Hooda and Geeta, these achievements must represent an immensely proud moment.
As a father who has served in the Indian Army, Shakti knows the importance of discipline, determination and commitment. He has experienced these values in their most demanding form. Today, seeing his son demonstrate them in a completely different arena must be deeply satisfying.

For me, the emotion is equally personal.

I have seen Shakti as a young officer, stood beside him as a neighbouring Company Commander, shared operational experiences in Sri Lanka and spent countless nights with him along the Jammu and Kashmir borders. I was present when he married Geeta in 1984 and later watched their little son grow up in Dehradun, Mhow, Northeast and Delhi Cantt.

Now, after all these years, seeing Shivgeet undertake extraordinary expeditions across India brings the journey almost full circle.
It is a reminder that the legacy of a soldier does not end with his own service. It continues through the values he instils in his family and the character of the next generation.

The regimental family of 4 JAT extends far beyond the officers and soldiers serving in uniform. It includes their families, children and generations who carry forward the pride, memories and traditions of the regiment. For the entire 4 JAT fraternity, Shivgeet’s accomplishments are a matter of collective pride.

A Message for the Younger Generation.

At a time when the younger generation is constantly searching for inspiration and meaningful challenges, Shivgeet’s achievements carry an important message.
Greatness is not achieved simply by dreaming big. It requires preparation, discipline, perseverance and the courage to take on challenges that appear beyond one’s capacity.

His journeys also symbolise the unity of India. From the mountains of Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh to Koteshwar in Gujarat, he has traversed the geographical expanse of a nation whose diversity is matched only by its unity.

His motorcycle has travelled thousands of kilometres, but the message it carries is far more significant. India is one nation, united by its spirit, and its younger generations have the potential to achieve extraordinary things.

To Shivgeet Singh Hooda, my heartfelt congratulations. You have made your parents, your extended family and the entire 4 JAT fraternity proud.
To Col Shakti Hooda, my comrade since 1982, my fellow Company Commander and my friend through decades of military service, and to Geeta, my warmest congratulations. You have every reason to be proud of the young man Shivgeet has become.

The Spirit That Never Dies.

The uniform may change, the battlefield may change and generations may come and go, but the spirit of a soldier never dies. I began my journey with Shakti in 4 JAT in 1982. We shared the challenges of military service, the demanding operational environment of Sri Lanka and the nights along the Jammu and Kashmir borders. I witnessed his marriage to Geeta in 1984 and saw Shivgeet grow from a little child in Dehradun and Mhow into the accomplished young man he is today.

Now, watching Shivgeet carry the spirit of determination across the highways of India is an immensely fulfilling experience. Some friendships are forged in ordinary circumstances; others are sealed in the toughest moments of life. Military comradeship belongs to the latter. And when the children of those comrades go on to achieve something extraordinary, the pride is shared by the entire regimental family.

Shivgeet may have travelled thousands of kilometres, but the inspiration for his journey comes from a legacy nurtured over generations. His story is a reminder that the legacy of the Indian Army is not confined to its battlefields. It lives in the character, courage and achievements of generations raised in its shadow.

THE SPIRIT OF 4 JAT. THE PRIDE OF THE INDIAN ARMY. THE LEGACY OF A WARRIOR FAMILY.

JAI HIND!