Auto driver’s son set to scale Kilimanjaro

Warangal: What Malavath Poorna, then 13, and Sadhanapally Anand Kumar, then 15, had seen from the summit of Mount Everest on the morning of May 25, 2014, is still an inspiration to the children belonging to marginalised backdrops. Poorna and Anand, who proved poverty not a hindrance to success, have in fact become beacons of grit and determination to look at things anew even in times of adversity.

Viewing through the same lens is the 19-year-old Rasamalla Akhil, son of an auto-rickshaw driver and resident of Kishanpura, who is set to scale the snow-capped 5,895-meter Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, a mountain that inspired Africa in its fight against colonialism.

Akhil’s new-found enthusiasm in mountaineering got him selected for the Kilimanjaro expedition organised by the Bhongir-based Transcendo Adventures. Sometime in August 2018, Akhil, who has a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Warangal Institute of Technology and Science, met Anand at a programme when he received a certificate of appreciation for finishing first in a locally-organised 10-K Run event.

“Anand told me why I can’t try my hand at mountaineering. The confidence he infused into me took me to Rock Climbing School run by Transcend Adventures in Bhongir. For the last five months or so, I have been learning the nuances of trekking under the guidance of senior instructor Parameshwar,” Akhil said.

Recently, the Transcend Adventures selected Akhil for Kilimanjaro expedition that begins on February 7. Akhil is one among the four from two Telugu-speaking State – Telangana and Andhra Pradesh – selected for the trip. 

Now, the big task ahead of him is to mobilise funds for his expedition that requires about Rs 3 lakh. Even though Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil came forward to provide Rs 50,000, Akhil needs more sponsorship so that to fulfill his dream. 

The Sports Authority of Telangana State (SATS) chairman A Venkateshwar Reddy has also promised to take it to the notice of the government.
Speaking to The Hans India, junior instructor at the Rock Climbing School B Rakesh said: “Akhil has enough stamina to trek Kilimanjaro.

He has done well in the basic training. The trekking peak to Kilimanjaro requires stamina and basic training. The six-day trek will start on February 7.” It’s learnt that expedition team, including Akhil, was scheduled to begin the journey to the summit on January 20, but due to unavoidable some reasons the trip was deferred.