The Hindu News Update Service
News Update Service
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 : 1740 Hrs
Blind trekker conquers Beas Kund
Coimbatore (PTI): A 24-year-old visually impaired man from the city has
successfully trekked 62 km to Beas Kund, located at 12,500 feet in Himachal
Pradesh,
under the guidance of the National Adventure and Leadership School (NALS).
R. Gopalakrishnan achieved this feat on June 12 when he crossed several
mountain streams, trekked on snow-clad slopes and overcame huge boulders on the
glacier, NALS director Lieutenant Seshadri told reporters here on Tuesday.
A beaming Mr. Gopalakrishnan, who was present at the press meet, said the
experience has greatly enhanced his self confidence. His mission in life now was
to inspire all youth to overcome challenges and achieve their goals, he said.
"As I could see nothing, like boulders, rivers, deep pits and slopes or heavy
snow, there was no fear in my mind, unlike other trekkers who can see," he
said.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan was assisted by two instructors in this pilot expedition,
along with six students, Mr. Seshadri said.
NALS is organising the Beas trekking programme during September one to October
20 and estimated 40 persons were expected to trek each day, he said.
The expedition is a fund raising event for Sankara Eye Care Institutions and is
dedicated to eradicating preventable and curable blindness in India through
one of the largest rural outreach programmes, Mr. Seshadri said.
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