Pulsar Dare Venture Season 1 was a terrific success, giving rise to popular demand for Season 2. And, learning from the experiences of the past, Season 2 promises to be a bigger, and more daring event that will thrill one and all.
TEXT: KARUNA GURUNG
The emergence of the idea for Pulsar Dare Venture arose spontaneously during a regular brainstorming session in the Bajaj showroom. The idea was always there, but action was yet to be taken. The original plan was to assemble the riders, and then collectively ride to the destination, but with alterations, it ended up where it is today. Thus, the first ever-biking reality show in Nepal was presented to the public in 2014.
After having a clear view of what they wanted to do, the first and foremost thing was to get the marshals on board. Hence began the search for professional riders. After doing several interviews, they came across Bikers Nepal, and felt that they were the right guys, as they do a lot of off roading and know more than just the basics of riding. Then came the issues of medical facility and insurance; various logistic factors; and food and accommodation. Being the first of its kind, people didn’t have much credibility about the event; however, after approaching and talking to a lot of people, the event was finally getting into shape. Within a month, everything was set, and the final product was on its way. Designing and launching it were the only things left to do.
This event was in their minds for quite some time before it was finalized. So, time and again, the agency was briefed, and time and again, the matter was dropped. Finally, the agency was briefed very strictly that this time they were very serious about it. So the agency came up with several names. Among the ten, twelve different names, Pulsar Dare Venture stood out and clicked with the whole team. This was the perfect name, as the event was a daring adventure. The MD of the company wanted the eagle as the logo, since the bird’s eye view was how they wanted to represent Pulsar. So, the agency worked out the logo, which was duly registered.
Season 1 was a learning experience for everyone, as this was the first time they were doing such an event. The expenses were huge, and they were still figuring out what was to be done. When it came to airing the show, they didn’t want anyone apart from Kantipur Television, as it had the highest viewership. The airing channel was set, but the direction was still in question. After talking to their team, however, they showed the confidence that their in-house team could do it pretty well, and could pull it off. So, Suraj Singh Thakuri was appointed the director, and his team was responsible for the direction of the first season.
Around 40 people were involved, including the television and organizing crews. Celebrities NishaAdhikari and Robin Tamang were the hosts. The crew also consisted of three marshals, who were more like the hands of the event, and the event would not be possible without them.
After talking to Bikers Nepal, and having fixed everything, they approached Vayodha Hospital, and got them on board as the medical partner. They provided two para-medicals to accompany them in the journey. The medical tests were also done in the hospital. Next, they approached Gokarna Resort, who allowed them to do the shooting there. The official partners during Season 1 were Vayodha, Servo (the official lubricant of the company), and Kantipur Media Group, the media partner for the event.
Free-of-cost registration was done on a countrywide basis. This resulted in an overwhelming response, with over 800 registrations. That made the filtering and selection very difficult. As it was, the very first time they didn’t think about doing auditions, and the participants were selected on the basis of their answers to the question, ‘Why do you think you are the appropriate rider for Dare Venture?’ Fifty were selected for further screening process. Then came the obstacle test, taken by the marshals to judge biking capabilities, followed by fitness, medical, and attitude tests. Finally, 10 of the best were selected, who were given the necessary training by the marshals. It was then time to go for the ride.
The journey, as described by Punam Singh, was so beautiful that she had goose bumps when she realized what they had pulled off. The traffic police and CDOs everywhere were very cooperative, and the traffic was put on halt whenever they were moving. During a dusky moment, when the bikes were moving on fi le on an empty road with their dimmed lights, the view was breathtaking. Apart from riding, the riders also completed a lot of tasks that were simple enough, but still, they were exhausted from having to ride throughout the day. But, however tiring, they got to learn a lot, and came out as better individuals. Moreover, the journey helped build relationships, and the riders are still constantly in touch with the team.
Although everyone was so busy pulling off the event that they didn’t pay much attention to the response from the crowd, they were surprised when, during their visit to Rara, youngsters from Surkhet, Kalikot, and Nepalgunj recognized the Pulsar Dare Venture t-shirt and came up to talk to them. They told them how they would love to be a part of the show. This was the moment they realized that the event was really successful, and that people had enjoyed it.
One of the marshals suggested Solukhumbu, saying, ‘Solu may not be Mustang, but it has its own complexities and problems. Someway or the other we will make the participants do something for the people there.’ Solukhumbu is huge, and so they went to explore the place.
After the success of Season 1, Season 2 was much talked about. It had also been declared in the finale of the first season that there would be a second season. Then came the earthquake that shook Nepal, and they decided it was best to wait. Nevertheless, wherever they went, people all over were inquiring about the next season. It was important to do the second season, because they didn’t want to ghost out and fade away after the first season. The buzz was really high, and the team was ready for the second season. The only thing left to do was to decide on the destination.
One of the marshals suggested Solukhumbu, saying, ‘Solu may not be Mustang, but it has its own complexities and problems. Someway or the other we will make the participants do something for the people there.’ Solukhumbu is huge, and so they went to explore the place. One of the marshals came along on a bike to test whether bikes could take the terrain. After the inspections, and judging up to what point the bikes could possibly go, the final destination was decided as Taksindu.
Being the second season, they remedied whatever weaknesses and pitfalls experienced in the first season. People had complained about the selections being made on the basis of their answers and not their riding skills. So, this time, giving fair chance to everyone, auditions were held in order to select the participants. Apart from the destination, a lot of changes have taken place in the current season. This season is going to be tougher than the last, with more difficult roads and terrain. The ribbon formation road requires a lot of concentration, and will be very difficult, aside from the pain in the arms from riding. Taksindu is a very dangerous trail, and poses high chances of injuries. Second season consists of more refined tasks, and process of traveling. The participants will be treated like professional riders, with the objective that they come out as better individuals after the event.
SimoshSunuwar is directing the second season. He directed its promo video, which garnered a lot of praise. He seemed to know the exact veins of the show, and knew what was needed. He had proved himself in the promo video, and there was no other person they could think of apart from him to do the show.
Apart from Robin Tamang and the marshals, the rest of the crew is new, including SubekshyaKhadka, Sanjay Gupta, and SimoshSunuwar and his crew. Everyone is friendly, and they have bonded well already. They are happy to help each other at difficult times, and that is essential while traveling.
After the auditions, the army will be taking the fitness tests, followed by the obstacle tests to be taken by the marshals. There will be no interference from the organizers in their decision. After the tests, medical check-ups will be done to ensure everyone is fi t. Finally, the top 10 participants will be selected after the attitude test. The participants will be provided with training, and will undergo style makeover. They will be groomed on many humanitarian aspects before fi nally starting the journey.
The buzz about the event has been enormous. In order to limit the numbers, and to get only serious participants, the registration this time was not free. However, the number was still very large, about five times more than the first season.
.jpg)
