India’s first female amputee to climb Mount Everest

Chennai: I want to take part at the Commonwealth Games’ 100-metres dash.” This might seem an implausible dream, coming from a person with just one leg. But not when you’re Arunima Sinha, India’s first female amputee to climb Mount Everest.

For Arunima, also a national-level football and volleyball player, life took a turn for the worse while she was on her way from Lucknow to Delhi. “In April of 2011, I was thrown out of a train for resisting a chain-snatching attempt by hooligans. I fell on the tracks and the train crushed my left leg. I then landed up in a hospital in Rae Bareli where the doctors suggested that they amputate my leg from under the knee.”

While some spread rumours that Arunima’s case was a suicide attempt, others called it an attempt to murder, by her own brother. “There was so much of negativity around me, but I stayed positive and it was then that I decided I would climb Mt Everest.”

And on May 21, 2013, she was on top of the world. At 8,848 metres above sea level, atop the world’s tallest mountain, 26-year-old Arunima “just wanted to shout.” Her feat was simply incredible.

Back down, and into next year, this resilient athlete’s work continues. “I wish to open a sports academy for physically-challenged children. I bought land with the money I got by way of government aids and by delivering lectures at IIM, Microsoft, IIT and many other institutions.” But there’s also Hollywood. A production company has signed Arunima up for a yet-to-be-titled film based on her stunning story.

The wonder kid of Indian motorsport

The wonder kid of Indian motorsport

Hyderabad: Racer Armaan Ebrahim says that the year has been a mix of both good and bad. The high point of 2013 was of course, the FIA GT Series. “This is the first year that I am racing in the GT Series after Formula 2. I was signed up by BMW Sports Trophy Team India. And, we even got two podium positions in Holland, but could not win,” he says.

Armaan also points out that the GT Series brings its own share of challenges. “F2 cars are lighter and the aerodynamics make a huge difference. But the GT3 cars are heavier, yet they have the same power as the formula cars.

GT is great for spectators because these are the cars that they can afford to buy and race. GT races are also longer and there are two to three drivers racing together.

So, it is a team effort. The drivers have to change during the pit stop and all this has to happen in the shortest time,” he explains. “What’s more, during the second round of the FIA GT championship, after the Belgium round, my teammate crashed the car and pulled out just before the third round.

We had to find another driver who was as good as I was, to compete. Yet, we ended up at the podium.”

Armaan is the son of former Indian F3 champion Akbar Ebrahim and motorsports was not really part of a plan for this Chennai petrolhead.

“When I was karting, I did quite well and decided to give motorsports a shot. I had my parents’ support and that was really helpful. I would go to the racetracks and like any kid, I would get excited watching the fast cars whiz by. All those who were racing back then, when it was still a very domestic sport, inspired me. Also, Ayrton Senna has always been an inspiration.”

But the Indian motorsport scene has changed, with many young drivers making their mark, and the more the merrier.

“I started when I was 13 in 2004, but now, that would be considered old. There are many young children who would have raced a few tournaments by the time they are 13. In the next few years, there will be more young drivers on the circuit. But the sport is gruelling. One has to keep working hard and believing in oneself.”

And like most racing champs, Armaan thoroughly enjoys various sports.

“I play cricket and squash. I also like to watch movies or television. When I am in India, I am very lazy and I think it is important to take those breaks. It really helps you refresh yourself and go back and train harder,” he says. “Negotiations with different teams are going on at this stage. There are a few interesting things lined up,” he says.