Make your goal a passion, says mountaineer Arunima Sinha

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar, January 16

Punjab Technical University (PTU) celebrated its 19th foundation day here today.

Dr Raghbir Singh Khandpur, a renowned scientist and former Director General, Pushpa Gujral Science City, was the chief guest for the event. The stars of the event were Arunima Sinha, the first female amputee to complete her Mount Everest mission and Rajinder S Rahelu, gold medallist in para-lifting.

The bhog for Shri Akhand Path was performed on the main campus followed by a cultural programme.

Addressing the audience, Arunima Sinha shared her journey from lying on railway tracks for several hours after an accident and losing a foot to completing her Mount Everest mission. “I have seen hard times in my life. I lost my foot and was badly injured after a gang of thieves threw me out of the running train. I laid down on the tracks for hours and later was hospitalised. I could have failed and died. But I didn’t lose my trust in myself. During my Mount Everest journey, I have gone through a lot many troubles, but at the end, I completed my journey and created a history for India.”

Rajinder S Rahelu, Arjuna awardee and paralympic powerlifter, also shared his inspirational life. He said, “I got polio when I was only eight months old. I use to crawl to go from one classroom to another till class X. I met my coach as a teenager and shared with him that I wanted to try powerlifting. When he supported me, I gave my best and now I am an Arjuna awardee.”