From navigating a world without sight to scaling Himalayan heights, two young men from remote Jharkhand villages have risen above the odds, with one summiting a peak above 20,000 feet and the other reaching the expedition’s 16,732-foot base camp.
Shekhar Gope (24) from Todanhatu village and Dhiroj Kumhar (23) took part in an expedition to scale the 20,472-foot Dzo Jongo Peak in Ladakh’s Markha Valley between August 25 and 31. While Gope reached the summit, Kumhar’s climb was halted at 16,732 feet due to health concerns.
Their Himalayan feat marks the culmination of a journey that began with learning Braille and independent mobility through Tata Steel Foundation’s Sabal initiative.
Mountaineering is not their only pursuit; they are also footballers. Gope is the captain of Jharkhand’s blind football team, while Dhiroj represented the state as a national-level blind football player.
“Born with 100 per cent visual impairment, both young men spent their early years navigating a world that offered few resources and even fewer opportunities for independence. Something as basic as a white cane was not readily accessible,” said a representative of the foundation.
That meant daily activities, which many take for granted, often required support from others.
Things began to look up when they became part of the foundation’s disability inclusion initiative, Sabal, in 2022. Through the community-led initiative, they learnt Braille, activities of daily living, mobility and digital skills through support and training.
Learning to navigate independently, use a smartphone and access information opened doors that had previously seemed out of reach. “What began as skill-building gradually evolved into confidence, self-reliance and leadership. Today, both young men serve as mobility trainers, helping people with visual impairment develop the confidence and skills needed to navigate their lives independently,” the foundation said.
Their journey took a significant turn at Tumung, where they participated in outdoor experiential learning programmes designed to build resilience, teamwork and self-belief. The activities demanded trust, communication and determination.
For the two young men, it was an opportunity to step beyond familiar boundaries and discover new possibilities within themselves. The experience ignited a passion for sports and leadership.
Selected for a high-altitude expedition to Dzo-Jongo Peak, the two visually impaired mountaineers embarked on an intensive preparation process. Through a pre-expedition training programme at Dalma Hills, they strengthened their stamina, endurance and mental resilience. (PTI)
