Taming all odds

The intrepid man has been on the top of the world five times. The incredible woman has opened the way for other Indians to the southernmost tip of the earth. There can be no couple quite as ‘poles apart’ as the adventurous Dharmshaktus

The Dharmshaktus are a couple unlike any you will encounter in this country. Bound by a shared love for high adventure, they have earned name and fame by touching opposite ends of the planet. Having done so, they complement each other to perfection.

Meet Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu, 40, who has climbed Mount Everest, the earth’s highest point on Earth, as many as five times.

Not Enough to Die For

Lack of opportunities and an adequate redress mechanism system have led to 50,000 men quitting the paramilitary forces in the last five years, says Mayank Singh

In the winter session of the Parliament, minister of state for home RPN Singh had some startling figures to disclose. He told the house that more than 9,000 personnel from India’s elite paramilitary forces had quit their jobs even in the uncertainity of severe economic recession. Singh was merely touching the tip of an iceberg. In the last five years more than 50,000 men have quit the paramilitary forces in India.

While the number may not seem too big as compared to the overall strength of 10 lakh paramilitary forces, it does point to an extremely disturbing trend. Lack of promotions, a flawed grievance redressal system and utter apathy of policy makers are going to severely hamper the trajectory of the forces that are the main up keepers of law and order and internal security inside the country.

A Man No Cliff Can Stop

This isn’t exactly a rags-to-riches story, but is every inch as exciting. Major Ranveer Singh Jamwal did not start life in penury, nor is he rolling in wealth. But what he possesses in abundance is grit, an attribute that has propelled him to the summit of Mount Everest twice in a span of less than 12 months.

Needless to say, Jamwal is no ordinary climber. He has not only led a record number of 20 climbers to the summit in a single expedition, but also masterminded a successful campaign to clean up the mountain that he has scaled. 

A matter of honour

Lanky Peer Mohammed Ummer from Anantnag has succeeded in fulfilling his father’s ultimate dream. He has joined Indian Army’s Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment (JAK LI), a unit his father served with distinction for 26 years.

Soldier Ummer is the only brother among five sisters and despite his father’s death in 2000, the family was very keen he takes over the mantle of warrior. So when Ummer recently marched at the attestation parade at Srinagar’s JAK LI parade ground, his family including two sisters - one a teacher and the other pursuing a Master of Arts degree – were in attendance, proud of their ward.