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Disabled army men set out to prove their fitness

Swapna Khanna in New Delhi

Disability is not a curse.

And, this would be proved by 11 gritty handicapped soldiers.

The soldiers will be scaling Mt Gangstang (also known as the Deity of Snow), a majestic peak across the Rohtang pass in Lahaul valley, 6162 metres above sea level.

The team is being led by Major Som Prakash Sharma of the Sikh Regiment.

Of the 11, five of the team members have amputated limbs, four suffered permanent gunshot wounds and splinter injuries, and two suffer from other disabilities.

Artificial limbs modified to suit mountaineering equipment have been fitted to the climbers whose hands or legs were amputated

"It is for the first time in the history of Indian Army that 11 handicapped soldiers are undertaking such a venture," said team leader Major Sharma.

He said, "One day I saw a television serial in which one chap, whose legs had been amputated, was scaling a mountain. I thought if he could climb a hill why can't we, who suffer from lesser disabilities, do that? I then approached the Army Adventure wing, and got the approval. We sent across letters to our people.

"Soon we received replies from 19 volunteers, of whom we selected 11," said Major Sharma.

"The team will move to Manali on the September 10, and as a tribute to the father of the nation on his 121st birth anniversary we will make a final assault on the summit on October 2 and return by the second week of October," said a proud deputy team leader, Subedar T B Thapa.

"For the Army men mental courage is as important as physical strength. We want to show the world that we are as tough as ever," said Subedar Thapa.

Havaldar Subash Singh (a recipient of the Sena Medal) said, "I have always been obsessed with mountain climbing. I got injured in 1998 and lost my right leg. But in spite of it, I would always think of how I could climb a mountain. When I received this letter from the Army Adventure wing, I immediately decided that I have to go, no matter what."

"My family is not aware of my decision since I have not told them. If I tell them about it they might ask me to drop my plan which I will not."

In fact, of the 11 it is only the team leader's wife who knows about the adventure they are embarking on. She has also been helping them with their 'shopping list'.

"Each of my team members is mentally and physically robust," said Major Sharma.

"The army wants full security and does not want any further disabilities. The team will be given twenty days of ice craft training at Palchan and Kyelong. We are carrying specially designed heaters, equipment altered to fit their modified shoes and long range radio sets.

"Along with us would also be 10 doctors and four men from the Emergency Warfare High Altitude School, to tackle any kind of emergency."

The other members of the expedition are Subedar T B Thapa and Lance Naik S B Gurung, Havaldar Harpal Singh and Sepoy Sanjay Kumar (17 Jat), Sepoy Gopal Sharma (17 Bihar), Sepoy Sobhin Kujui (21 Bihar), Havaldar Yoginder Singh and Sepoy Ranvir Singh (21 Jat) and Havaldar Subhash Singh and Sepoy Jatinder Singh (28 Punjab).

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