Oxygen to Courage

14/6/2014

The terrain and I are one with the quiet meadows, the snow covered hilltops, the sunshine in forecast too. But a disconnect between my stomach and heart makes me greedy for more, in order to satisfy each individually. This greed is the culprit, without calculating the benefits of appreciation or the cost of creating haven for few.

Himalaya is not a thing; it is an emotion, a source of culture in our epics. And physically, or metaphysically a higher elevation helps one see clearer.

Mother Earth has seen the mighty Himalayas rise to achieve immense self-respect, as it stands fearlessly in way of the Monsoon winds which cause heavy rainfall in Terai and also forms deserts in Central Asia. However, today the relationship between man and nature has become so complex as to affect many people, of different castes, colour and creed, largely destroying the pure affiliation with one's Mother land. Hence, today 'people come looking, but see nothing'; they have forgotten the ancient paths and are stumbling to survive.

On a mountain, coming down is harder if you are tired, like life, the goal is always ahead. Fear is part of the psyche; it is in the mind like fatigue. Trust yourself and keep faith in your training, it paves the way for forthcoming endeavours. Another tip to retain is that, 'art is long and time is fleeting' and thus, arguing only creates bad blood. But he is his family, his village and is outspoken, because he's a hill man. However our society prefers diplomacy and gives little preference to truth. Even so, his determination, over the years, allowed him to rise to the status of 'Snow Tiger' from a timid 'Mountain Goat' and receive a postal stamp in his honour in1978.

Colonel Prem Chand is the first Indian in the world to reach the summit of India's highest peak = 'Kanchendzonga' in 1977 with ND Sherpa. Also, as the trainer for the women's group, Colonel Prem is behind the success of putting the first Indian woman, Bachendri Pal, on top of Mt. Everest in 1984.

Tearing through icy cold winds and surviving freezing temperatures, depending at times on the warmth of each other's body, their climb till the summit needed skill and immense courage. He fondly recalls the sunrise at the summit, the first gentle rays of the harsh sun reflecting on the thick mist, and a sense of relief it brought that the two men accomplished their journey and lived to see another day.