Katiravan Subarayan Has Crossed 32 Nations, Advocating Environmental Awareness And Showcasing Malaysia Globally
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Katiravan Subarayan, a 63-year-old Malaysian who embarked on a remarkable journey in early January 2023 to 106 countries worldwide, has made his way to 32 of the countries just after a year of his mission.
Riding his BMW R 1200cc GSA motorcycle, affectionately named Parameswara, the former electrical and maintenance manager from Melaka (also spelt Malacca, a state in southwestern Malaysia) is on a mission to create environmental awareness and promote his homeland globally.
After retiring, he received numerous enticing job opportunities from renowned companies thanks to his 39 years of expertise and prestigious certifications. Despite the attractive financial packages, he turned them down, motivated by a greater calling.
His commitment to spreading awareness about global warming and showcasing the beauty of Malaysia prompted him on the road trip, aimed at making a positive difference for a better tomorrow. Additionally, he also aims to showcase and promote the natural beauty of Malaysia.
During a recent phone interview, this writer spoke to Katiravan who was staying at a hostel in Kingston, Jamaica.
He has ventured through countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Canada, Alaska, the United States, Cuba and Jamaica.
Challenges were aplenty. Navigating through diverse cultures and languages, he encountered language barriers such as in rural Russia, where people were not only unfamiliar with Malay but also with English.
Undeterred, Katiravan used Google Translator to bridge the communication gap. In these interactions, he shared insights about the global impact of climate change, emphasising its effects on the entire planet, and how the melting of ice glaciers in Antarctica is a significant concern due to the potential impact on global sea levels.
Simultaneously, he took the opportunity to promote the positive aspects of Malaysia, showcasing its inherent beauty to people from various corners of the world, and fostering a sense of global environmental consciousness.
“I use Google Translator to communicate. I engage them in discussions about the far-reaching impacts of global warming on our planet, while also highlighting the positive aspects of Malaysia and the natural beauty of our nation.
"I explain our country's rich tapestry of multi-ethnicities and diverse religions. The predominant racial makeup comprises 70 per cent Malays, 22 per cent Chinese, and 8 per cent Indian, living in a Muslim-majority nation, in harmony and tolerance that characterise our coexistence," said Katiravan during a recent interview with Bernama.
He said the people he met had questioned how a country as diverse as Malaysia, with a mix of various races and religions, could effectively live together in harmony, especially given the different religions practised in the country.
In response, Katiravan said Malaysians exhibit a remarkable acceptance of each other's faiths, allowing individuals the freedom to practise different religions and uphold their traditions in any manner they choose.
Another crucial factor that binds Malaysians together, he said, is the ability to communicate in a common language, Bahasa Malaysia (National Language). He highlighted that the government has made it mandatory for every individual identifying as Malaysian to be proficient in the language.
Katiravan found that many of the people he encountered in his travels had little to no knowledge of Malaysia. As such, they were surprised when he shared details about the country, particularly highlighting the affordability of fuel and the reasonable cost of living.
It was intriguing for many to learn that Malaysia, despite being a developed nation, maintained economical fuel prices and a lifestyle that is both affordable and sustainable. This often sparked curiosity and admiration among those he met on his journey.
"After travelling through Europe, I shipped my bike to London, then proceeded to Canada and eventually reached Alaska. Descending to North America, I journeyed through the United States (US) where I met a lot of kind people who helped me plant 20 trees as I travelled across 28 states for 82 days on Parameswara,” he said.
Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Katiravan was greeted by Malaysian Youtuber Logesh Kumaar. They sat down for a meal and talked about Katiravan's journey across the US, as well as current events in Malaysia.
Continuing south to Mexico, Katiravan added five more trees to his environmental initiative. Eventually, he left behind his bike in Mexico before venturing to Cuba, where he spent some time planting two more trees with individuals from the Malaysian embassy in Cuba.
In response to why he didn't bring his motorcycle to Cuba, he cited the lack of Google Maps and transportation services he was familiar with as the main hindrances to travelling alone in the country. He also noted that credit cards were of no use in Cuba due to economic sanctions.
Moreover, Katiravan said that fuel was a rare commodity in Cuba where a fuel truck would refill a fuel station once every 10 days, causing a long queue of vehicles waiting to refuel, with the queues reaching 2 kilometres long.
However, despite being in an unfamiliar country and without his motorcycle, Katiravan received unexpected kindness from a local Malaysian in Cuba. A biker friend had connected Katiravan with individuals in Cuba, leading to contact with the Malaysian Embassy there.
Theva, a fellow Malaysian residing in Cuba, extended incredible hospitality during Katiravan's three-night stay. Theva not only picked him up from his hotel but also helped him navigate the challenges of finding suitable places to eat and even borrowed petrol from a friend to drive him around.
Theva's generosity in a foreign land profoundly impacted Katiravan, showcasing the warmth and compassion of the Malaysian spirit.
Meanwhile, embarking on a journey to more than 100 countries demanded meticulous planning, a reliable mode of transportation, and, financial resources. Before setting off, Katiravan encountered challenges in securing funds, prompting him to actively seek sponsors for support.
Despite reaching out to various organisations and passionately presenting his mission of travelling the globe on his motorcycle to promote Malaysia and raise environmental awareness, many doors remained closed.
In a determined effort to garner support, Katiravan even wrote a heartfelt letter to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), outlining his vision for promoting Malaysia globally and spreading environmental consciousness. However, disappointingly, his letter went unanswered.
Undeterred, Katiravan decided to dip into his own pockets to finance his journey. He took the bold step of selling a property in Kepong after consulting with his grown children and wife, Kamala.
Their unanimous agreement, based on the understanding that the funds would fuel a meaningful journey, highlighted the family's support for his venture.
This familial backing became the cornerstone of Katiravan's investment in a mission that combined adventure, advocacy, and a deep sense of responsibility.
The drop in the value of the Malaysian ringgit has posed additional challenges for Katiravan, as he initially estimated needing around RM600,000 at the start of his trip.
After Cuba, he headed to Jamaica, where he planted three trees and returned to Mexico by 30 Jan to retrieve his motorcycle, Parameswara, initiating the next phase of his journey through the South American continent.
Beyond South America, his ambitious plans include a flight to Cape Town, South Africa, from where he plans to ride to Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and all the Arab countries in the Middle East.
Continuing his global odyssey, he aims to ride through Turkiye and Central Asian countries, and proceed to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and eventually make his way back to Malaysia.
Anticipating this extensive route to take approximately 12 more months, he envisions completing his adventure and returning to Malaysia by early 2025, accompanied by his cherished motorcycle, Parameswara.
-- BERNAMA
