Kolkata: Uday Kumar (35) who lost his left leg in a train accident in 2015, climbed Mount Rhenock in Sikkim, making it to the summit at 16,500 feet. Kumar, who has 91% disability above the knee, is now preparing to scale Mount Everest.
The employee of a private firm near Kolkata, Belgharia resident Kumar decided to overcome all odds after he lost his leg. While his left leg was amputated up to the knee, four fingers on his right leg too were amputated.Deep trauma and scar of the tragedy had even pushed him to think of ending his life once. But he started recovering as his family members stood by him.
His fitness journey started with taking part in marathons. After completing 55 marathons across India, Kumar decided to aim for the heights. In March this year, Kumar took part in an expedition led by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), part of the “Mera Yuva Bharat” and “Divyangjan” initiatives. From March 5, the ascent for the next 15 days was a testament to the power of the human spirit.
“We trekked nearly 100 km through boulders, moraines, and steep icy slopes, while facing the harsh realities of nature. The ascent to the base camp at 14,600 feet had its own challenges but the biggest obstacle was the 75-degree peak of Mount Rhenock.
“Any climb is challenging especially when one does not have a leg. There are examples of people with disabilities climbing mountains. Such efforts definitely call for applause,” said Everest summiteer Debashish Biswas.
“When I am not training myself, I work hard to gather funds, ensuring that I can save some more to provide for my family’s sustenance during my absence,” Kumar said.
“As long as I live, I will continue to take part in adventure sports. If my story can inspire a youth, that will be my achievement,” he said.
“In the coming days, I wish to climb Mount Everest. In my life, I faced a near-death situation. But I am still living. This means there is still some work left for me,” Kumar added.