Rickshaw Run, India 2025

This year, we decided to try something new at the Fondation Jean-François de Clermont-Tonnerre: driving a rickshaw across India. No map. No GPS. Just three wheels, a lot of kilometers, and a goal: to raise €50,000 for education projects.
But it wasn’t just about the funds. We wanted to meet people, share meals (and chai, lots of chai), hear their stories, and experience life beyond the tourist lens.
And the rickshaw? Let’s just say it wasn’t built for long-distance trips. But that’s part of the Rickshaw Run India—a race where teams (like ours) take these tiny machines across the country, dealing with breakdowns, surprises, and plenty of laughs to raise money for a good cause.
Leaving Jaisalmer and hitting the road
After a few days of practice (aka learning not to stall the rickshaw every five minutes), we hit the road on January 1st. Starting in Jaisalmer, we had a route to follow, but we knew the journey would have its own surprises.
Driving that little rickshaw was anything but smooth. The roads kept things interesting… potholes, gravel, and traffic that seemed to move in every direction at once. But we got into the rhythm of it. Markets spilled onto the streets, horns blared constantly, and people waved or shouted greetings as we passed. Some even stopped us for a quick chat, making the ride more authentic.
At every stop, we’d end up talking to locals about what brought us here: raising awareness for our Fondation and, more importantly, the role education plays in changing lives. These weren’t planned, but they were deep. We got to share what we cared about and hear about their lives too. Those moments made the whole trip feel bigger than just a road journey.
India’s richness beyond the race
As we traveled through India, we made time to stop and take in some of its history. The destination was important, but so was the journey, so when we had the chance to visit the Ajanta and Ellora caves, we went for it.
The landscapes changed as we got closer. Things felt quieter, slower. The caves were something else: huge, detailed, and clearly holding stories from a long time ago. It felt like we were walking through a piece of history.
One other visit stood out. We stopped in a small village and went to the local school. We met the teachers, chatted with the kids, and, of course, had chai (at this point, it had become part of our daily routine). And eventually, we decided to support kids’ school fees… 10,000 INR (€110) per year as long as they stayed focused on their studies. It felt good to help in a way that was small but real.
Goa’s warmth
Finally, after nine days on the road, we made it to Goa. The heat and humidity hit hard, but the change of pace felt good. It was also where we met up with the other teams.
We exchanged stories: breakdowns, missed turns, random acts of kindness from strangers. Hearing everyone’s experiences made us realize how much the journey itself had shaped all of us in different ways.
The finish line
As we got closer to the finish line in Kochi, it started to feel real. After 3,800 kilometers, we were exhausted but proud we’d made it. The rickshaws were barely holding up, but they got us through some tough roads and amazing places. The journey wasn’t easy, but our mission, our team, and the people we met kept us going.
Reaching Kochi felt strange in a good way. We were reaching the end of an experience that showed us how much people matter and how important education can be.
That evening, we celebrated with the other teams. The race was over, but everything we had learned and everyone we had met felt like they’d stay with us for a long time.
More than just a race
When we joined the Rickshaw Run, we wanted more than to finish a race. We wanted to see India, meet its people, and understand more about the challenges and opportunities along the way.
A big part of it was about education. By the end of the trip, we had met so many people, seen so many places, and really felt how important education is, not just in India but everywhere.
We realised that most of the time, it is the small things, like listening, helping with school fees or supporting local projects, that make the biggest difference. And of course, the finish line was not the end of what we want to do.
Through the Fondation Jean-François de Clermont-Tonnerre, we are still working to support kids and communities. We want to help them get the education they need for a better future.
It’s now become clearer that every little step we take helps move things forward. There is still a lot to do, but we are ready to keep going.