Mount kilimanjaro

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award: Kolkata-based Uday Kumar is a contractual worker whose life took an unforeseen turn during the Durga Puja holidays of 2015. What began as a simple act of washing his face in a train compartment tragically resulted in a fall that led to the amputation of his left leg.

“I went to wash my face in the basin in the reservation compartment of the train. The basin overflowed with water and I fell out of the train on the platform and my leg was badly sprained on the platform. I had to be taken to the hospital for surgery and the doctors declared that I am 91% disabled. I am disabled, but I consider myself to be 91% abled,” he declared.

But in the face of adversity, Uday chose a different narrative. This pivotal moment ignited a desire to prove his own resilience. He found his arena in the demanding world of marathons. Since then, this extraordinary individual has conquered over 80 races across 16 states, transforming his perceived limitation into a source of immense strength.