First double leg amputee Chitrasen from Balod to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
   Date :15-Sep-2019

 Chitrasen Sahu (R) and his mentor Rahul Gupta
 
Special Correspondent :
 
Raipur
 
Chitrasen Sahu, double leg amputee mountaineer from Balod District of Chhattisgarh, would be the first in India to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in South Africa, this month. He has set the target of accomplishing his mission within 8 days. Sahu, an assistant engineer in Chhattisgarh Housing Board (CGEB), would start climbing the 5895 metre (19339-ft) peak on September 20. Sharing details of his adventurous effort, 27-year-old Sahu told ‘The Hitavada’ that he would like to be known by his name rather than a Divyang.
 
“I want people do not look at me with sympathy just because I am a physically challenged. I was a good athlete and cricketer during my school and college days. After completing my schooling in Balod, I cracked engineering examination and got admission in the Civil Branch of Government Engineering College, Bilaspur. My legs were amputated following an accident in 2014, the year I completed my Civil Engineering. Although it was extremely difficult for me to convince myself that I can do anything after this incident, I got a lot of support from my family and friends to overcome the shock to start a fresh life.” Further, Sahu said that he started playing Wheelchair Basketball and led the state in the national level tournaments. Sahu is also a Blade Runner.
 
When asked about the inspiration behind taking up such a tough task in the form of mountaineering, Sahu said that he was in touch with the Mountain Everest conqueror Rahul Gupta on Facebook. “In 2015, I was sitting in a Press Conference addressed by Rahul Gupta after his conquering of Mount Everest. At the end of the press conference I met him and just asked if I can conquer the Everest like him. I was wearing a trouser and my amputated legs were not visible. Rahul replied to me, yes, you can without looking at my legs. I instantly pulled up my trouser and showed him my prosthetic legs. Rahul was stunned for a few seconds.
 
Breaking his silence, Rahul replied yes you still can, provided you are determined to do so. I then started my training under his M M Foundation in Mainpat (Ambikapur). I climbed mountains of Mainpat several times as part of my preparations,” said Sahu. Sahu said that he would be accompanied by Rahul Gupta during his trekking in South Africa. As sponsorship is a vital part of such trips, Hira Group has extended its support under the CSR fund, said Sahu. Sahu said that his main objective is to create awareness in the society, so that society does not treat people with disabilities as less than human. “I want to launch a campaign ‘Inclusion’ to create this awareness,” said Sahu. The tagline Sahu use for him is ‘Show Your Metal’. “I don’t want to hide my prosthetic legs and therefore I have chosen this slogan for me. I want to show what I am,” said Sahu.