Come June 8, 2025, Sanjukta Mitra and her husband Dr Prabir Mitra will begin an extraordinary overland expedition retracing the ancient Silk Route—from the United Kingdom to India.
Driving a Toyota Hilux pickup, the couple will cover more than 15,500 miles across 20 countries over 100 days. But this is no ordinary road trip. It's a mission, fuelled by personal conviction and professional purpose, to raise global awareness about diabetes, a condition Dr Prabir Mitra has spent his medical career addressing.
Supported by the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn, the Rotary Club of Calcutta Metro City, and Rotary International, the couple’s journey aims to blend adventure with advocacy. Along their route, they will engage with local communities and Rotary clubs to conduct awareness sessions, share health information, and advocate for lifestyle changes that can reduce diabetes risk.
A journey of purpose returning to the roots
For Dr Mitra, this mission is deeply personal. An alumnus of Calcutta National Medical College, he trained in India before moving to the UK to further his education and gain clinical experience, eventually becoming a diabetes specialist and examiner for the University of Cambridge. But even after decades of professional service in the UK, the desire to “give back” remained strong.
“When we thought of returning to our roots, not just flying, but actually driving, we wanted to bring back something meaningful,” he said. “Diabetes has been my field for over 20 years. It’s a global pandemic in disguise and a massive health burden, particularly for South Asians.”
Sanjukta, an educator and avid traveller, has been equally instrumental in shaping the journey’s broader goals. “We always dreamed of traveling and tracing the historic route back from West to East,” she said. “This is also about connecting cultures and ideas, but most importantly, it’s about sharing knowledge that can save lives.”
Executing a four-month overland journey is no small feat. The planning began over a year ago and included everything from selecting the right vehicle to attending overlanding expos, reading blogs, and consulting veteran travellers.
“We originally had a BMW X5,” Sanjukta recalled, “but after extensive research, we realised it wouldn’t withstand the terrain. That’s when we got the Hilux—rugged, reliable, and perfect for long hauls. We named it Chetak, after the legendary horse of Maharana Pratap.”
Their meticulous preparation includes custom-fitting waterproof storage boxes in the truck bed, mapping out power sources, selecting rooftop camping gear, and reinforcing hooks for bungee cords. “Every weekend has been dedicated to planning—while working full-time during the week,” Sanjukta added.
The route has been strategically chosen to include stops in Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and, of course, India, where diabetes awareness events are already being coordinated with Rotary Clubs. The couple plans to conclude their journey in Kolkata with public talks and workshops organised by the Rotary Club of Calcutta Metro City.
In terms of logistics, the couple will share driving duties equally. They recently completed a 2,200-mile “pilot trip” to Austria to test their setup and endurance. “We’ll be camping on rooftops, using public campsites across Europe and beyond,” said Sanjukta. “Once we’re out of the EU, we expect the unexpected. That’s where the real challenge begins.”
Having raised their children with frequent Himalayan hikes and minimalist travel, both feel mentally prepared for what lies ahead. “We’ve done health camps in Himalayan villages,” Dr Mitra noted. “We’ve always believed that if we can give, we must.”
Still, there are unknowns. “Administrative systems, border logistics, and local conditions in some countries are a bit of a grey area,” Sanjukta admitted. “But we’ll take it as it comes.”
Awareness on the road
Dr Mitra emphasises that their primary message will focus on prevention—specifically through diet and physical activity. “Most people don’t realise how critical it is to understand carbohydrates,” he said. “Even when you think you’re eating healthy, the carb content might be too high. Knowing your carbs is key.”
Physical activity, too, is essential. “Even 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise that raises your heart rate can significantly lower your diabetes risk,” he explained. “That, and regular checkups. Don’t ignore your numbers.”
The message is particularly important for South Asians, who have a genetically higher predisposition to type 2 diabetes. The couple hopes that their journey will help demystify the condition and spark conversations around better lifestyle choices.
At its heart, the Mitras’ expedition is about using personal expertise for public good. “If we can help even a handful of people become more aware of their health, it’ll be worth it,” said Dr Mitra.
Their journey starts with an awareness event in King's Lynn, and their mission will end with similar events in Kolkata. In between, they’ll be navigating continents—but more importantly, they’ll be bridging knowledge gaps.
As the couple prepares to hit the road, their message is simple yet powerful: diabetes is preventable, manageable, and worth talking about. And for Sanjukta and Prabir Mitra, every mile driven is a step toward that global conversation.
