Fly Away From Home

(A crazy yet awakening journey)

I was just 20 years then, my first lone journey happened on 26th June 2003. The journey was a desire to reach my love, the world’s highest peak(Mount Everest).

I was born in a middle class family and we were 6 members, mom, dad, me and my 3 sisters. I am the second among them. Like many fathers my father too was more concerned about daughters safety, so he did not allow any of us to participate in sports activities because it involved going out. So I started lying to my parents, like special class, combined study, etc. As I was good in studies, my dad did not notice that much. One fine day all my lies came to light when my dad saw me in the newspaper.

I was the winner of state level cycling championship(100 kms)organised by PSG hospitals, Coimbatore.

He scolded me and from that day onward my special classes were stopped. I could not participate in National cycling championship. I tried to convenience my dad. But that was of no use. All I could do was challenge him.

As an adventure and book lover I made an escape plan. I collected information from books and made a detailed plan about where to go. I decided to go to Kathmandu, the city for adventure lovers.

I completed my B.C.S(Corporate Secretaryship) and stood the highest scorer in Personal Management and Managerial Economics. Even though I wished to study more, but thought that my dad will discourage me in adventures, I made up my mind to run away from home. So I quickly joined a month Kung-fu classes for self defense.

26th June 2003, after I collected my credentials from my college, I straight away went to the railway station. I boarded a train to Bilaspur (as per the plan )and was carrying only 1500/- in my hand.

Coimbatore to Bilaspur,

Bilaspur to Patna,

Patna to Raxaul,

Raxaul to Birgunj and finally,

Birgunj to Kathmandu

I reached Kathmandu on 1st July ,2003. It was monsoon season there and I remember I walked through Kathmandu streets wearing wet shoes. I was left with 250/- in hand and was consuming bread for 5 days . I still wonder why I did not feel tired walking many kilometers with improper food.

Then I met an angel called Heera, Receptionist of Shiv’s Adventure Pvt. Ltd, who introduced me to her M.D Mr. Kharel.

After listening to the situation he insisted me to go back home. I was not willing then. So he asked me to stay with his family where he had 3 daughters like me.

I was indeed happy and thankful to Heera and M.D for giving me a place to stay. I continued surviving on radish, cucumber, bread and water for many days. I realized the value of food.

As I was missing home and I called up my close friend who resided near our home to know the whereabouts of my family. He said my family too was missing me a lot, as my mom was weeping and my dad was not talking to anyone.

Even though my family members insisted dad to file a missing complaint, he did not do it as he was sure about the reason.

I collected required information related to climbing Everest, like training and expenditure. And I had decided to come back. 22 days of improper food made me 43 kg and I came home with the help of Heera and M.D.

After that incident my dad let me and my sisters go wherever we birds wished to fly. Often my sisters called me freedom fighter and a good planner who brought freedom to all sisters to step out of box.

2004 May – I completed my Basic Mountaineering Course from Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali with A grade and awarded as the leader of Best rope and conquered Friendship peak (17,348 ft. )

2005 May – I completed my advance Mountaineering from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and reached up to 17,500 ft. and stood first in obstacle race.

I moved to Bangalore in 2005 and became an instructor with Karnataka Mountaineering Association. Thereafter I joined in New Horizon Public school, Bangalore as a teacher.

Bangalore gave me an opportunity to learn many things like driving, skating, yoga, also completed B.Ed by working in NHPS(2005-08)

I won a silver medal in Bangalore International Marathon – 42 kms, participated in 3 Mumbai Marathons and clocked my personal best 4.21.37 sec in full marathon.

Also completed walkathon from Bangalore to Nandi hills(60 kms) in 2008 with the timing of 14 hrs.

I was very much thankful to Sharmila Mirchandani Mam, Director NHPS for giving me the first opportunity as a teacher. Heera,Avinash Jha and M.D.Kharel Sir for helping me to come back to India ,Sunand, M.D, I Quest Adventures, Bangalore for accompanying and guiding.I thank my Mentor Dr. Chandrashekar DP, CEO, JGI schools for encouraging me to write and share the life's most wonderful experiences...

This crazy yet awakening journey changed my life so much. One should never give up from what he/she wants to achieve. We should never discourage children, and always motivate them to choose the Right Way. We should not go behind success, should go behind excellence. The best way to reach our goal is keep going. Every child has unique qualities. We must go to nature to appreciate the beauty of the world.Look for ways to make life more fun, happy and interesting

Always focus on the positive.

Make DEAN (Dictionary,Encyclopedia, Atlas, Newspaper) your best friend. Life is a Journey of learning and we learn something every day. We think there is enough time to live. But we never know which moment is last. So read a lot, learn a lot, explore a lot, keep up the spirit and seize the day.

Today my dad is happy that I always speak the truth, and I am happy that he has changed a lot and spends lots of time talking with us.