They called their unique venture 'Heels on Fire'; a novel way to experience the land and the people made famous through the sobriquet 'God's Own
Country'. The team of five runners literally had their heels on fire, when they started their run from the historic Bekal Fort in Kasaragod district of
Kerala. It was the opening week of the month of May, and summer temperatures at its tormenting best.
Peter Dulvy, hailing from Northern Ireland ran the entire course, joined by his friend and photographer, Rahul Noble Singh, who ran half of the total
distance, and at various stages were joined by friends from UK, South Africa and India. It was truly a mission accomplished for the 'Heels on Fire'
team when they finally cooled their heels on the 28th of May at Kanyakumari.
On completion of their unique running experience in Kerala, and just before their departure to Kochi, we caught up with Peter Dulvy and Rahul Noble
Singh at their hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and listened to what they had to say about 'Heels on Fire'.
Both Peter and Rahul while emphasizing some of the objectives of their unique event, said that the whole exercise was aimed to get close and
understand a place like Kerala, which has an economically and socially advanced society. This experience they believed would identify activities in
the social, political, economic, cultural and other spheres of Kerala life and would link them with like-minded individuals and groups outside the state
of Kerala for further development and growth. Citing examples to fit the case, Peter and Rahul referred to their rendezvous with one of India's great
athletes, P. T. Usha and her initiative, the Usha School of Athletics; the wildlife conservation activities involving local tribal people at the Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary; the statewide e-literacy programme 'Akshaya' and even coming down to individuals as in the case of a professional football player
and his club based in Kochi, looking out for better opportunities and facilities.
Both Peter and Rahul were in agreement when we asked about the first and foremost thing they liked about Kerala. Without any hesitation their reply
was 'People'. Just because of the warmth and friendliness shown towards visitors and the kind of hospitality they possess, the people factor really
makes Kerala an unforgettable experience. Rahul had something more to add on to the topic of people in Kerala. He feels that, the people out here
lead an active life, are intelligent, have their own opinion about life, society and activities taking place around the world, which make them stand
apart from other societies in the world.
On a personal note, Peter Dulvy recalled some of his memorable moments during the entire course of the run. This is what he had to say. ?I enjoyed
some of the running stages through the tea plantations in Thekkady, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Malampuzha in Palakkad, in fact the whole of
Palakkad; especially the rural side with vast stretches of paddy fields.? And on some of the food items he tried, Peter enjoyed the tea breaks that he
had at the wayside teashops as well as taking tender coconut juice, which he felt as very refreshing. He also liked the combination of Iddli and
Sambar, but says Perotta with Beef Fry is his favourite. For deserts, obviously Payasams for any day, says Peter.
The 'Heels on Fire' team as an outcome of their month long experience in Kerala have some serious follow up plans to link Kerala with rest of the
world, that would have a bearing on its development and growth and also in promoting Kerala as a unique travel destination in the world. Their
experiences are bound to reflect in the form of writing and images, which would find a place in magazines like the Runners' World; bringing out a
coffee table book; working with PR companies in UK to come up with 'ten must do things' in Kerala through travel magazines and news papers;
associating with the Nehru Foundation in UK, and also initiatives through their website, one of which would be to guide and assist the travelling
youth in the age group of 25 to 30, who just can't afford expensive lodging, and to help them explore roads less travelled in Kerala.
Peter Dulvy and his enterprising bunch of runners are bound to explore, communicate and spread their activities to known as well as unknown
communities and societies around the world.
Building bridges of friendship, extending helping hand and winning the hearts of people make Peter Dulvy, Rahul Noble Singh, Desmond Roberts and
their friends a much wanted tribe in this modern world, mired in selfish motives and chaotic relations.
Kerala Tourism wish Peter Dulvy and his team all the best and hope that their heels never run out of fire, when they are needed for a good cause in
any part of the world.
