As part of the 12th batch, Bedi had reached Dharchula on August 12 and the next day, began her yatra to Mansarovar. From Dharchula, she went to Pangu, Sirkha, Gala and then to Malpa enroute to Mansarovar.

Rakesh Arya, Yatra official of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigham, recounts his brief, but memorable, encounter with Bedi, ``I remember being introduced to Protima as `the famous dancer'. She even told me that her programme was to be aired on Star TV after two to three days.'' This, incidentally, debunks the theory that Protima was not part of the 12th batch, considering her name was missing from the K M Yatra list, although she did figure in the Ministry of External Affairs list.

Asper local accounts, Bedi arrived at Dharchula alongwith her companion Futnani, at around lunch time on August 12. She had two subzis, raita and soup for lunch and thereafter, fixed a mule and a porter for the yatra. The porter and mule were supposed to join her 18 km away from here, as the yatra trek is difficult there onwards. She spent the evening in preparation for the yatra.

The next day, she made a special request for rotis with raita for breakfast, as she was not interested in the oily eats (puris and potatoes) served to the other yatris. The residents of Sirkha village say that she was choosy about her food throughout the journey. ``She asked us for buttermilk and khichri,'' the residents said.

They remember her speaking politely to the children and villagers. She also reportedly visited some homes in Sirkha village, to acquire insight into their lives. And that was the last anyone remembers of her. Soon enough, she was categorised as `missing' in the heavy landslide at Malpa.