PANAJI
Tinkesh Kaushik became world’s first triple amputee person to trek to the Mt Everest Base Camp at 17598 feet (5364m) and his total trek distance was 80 km. With 90% loco-motor disability he trekked to Everest Base Camp which was his third trek as well as the toughest and most challenging one than the earlier two fort treks in India “ Rajgadh and Sinhagadh. The Carmona boy left his home on May 3 and achieved the feat on May 11 setting an example that nothing is impossible.
Tinkesh always wanted to trek Everest Base camp and was preparing for that mentally as well as physically. “I did this for a cause to raise funds for mental health counselling for persons with disabilities (PwDs) to include them into mainstream,” he quips and thanks his trek leader Lalit Yadav and guide Gopal Puri for being with him on this Himalayan journey where the weather was bad from day one. There was snowfall on higher altitude at Lobuche-Gorkshep.
Where non-disabled individuals fear to tread, the 30-year bodybuilder, trained hard for this feat and did it, eventually. A certified fitness, nutrition-consultant and yoga-teacher, Tinkesh is into bodybuilding, weightlifting, marathons, cycling and climbing mountains. “I am best at fitness. My favourite subject is fitness science,” quips this commerce graduate.
A daredevil, Tinkesh has multiple records in his name - of becoming the first triple amputee to Bungy jump at Nepal in 2018 which led to a mention in the Limca Book of Records. In 2021, Tinkesh was the first triple amputee to scuba dive in open waters at Puducherry. Trekking to the base of Mt Everest was the latest feather in his cap. Tinkesh won Bharat Prerna award in April 2018, The DNA Winners in Life Achievers Award in February 2019, award for Vocational Excellence in April 2019, The Limca Book of Records in December 2019, CavinKare Ability Mastery award in February 2020, Tedx Speaker in September 2022 and Rubaru Mr India Brand Ambassador in October 2022.
Knowing that not everyone is blessed to have a support system like his, in 2024 Tinkesh started his not-for-profit organisation “ ‘Tinkesh Ability Foundation’ (TAF) in Goa to promote access to mobility aids, mental health support and inclusive fitness for all disabilities.
“As TAF is newly born baby, we tried to raise funds through crowd funding. The Everest Base Camp trek was supported by my mentor and guide Sydenstrica Gautam, my prosthetic sponsor Ossur, trek leader Lalit Yadav and my outdoor gear sponsor Gokyo.in and TAF team,” shares Tinkesh who enjoys long drives, travelling, setting new records. He dreams to be an international model and motivational speaker.
Having lost both his lower limbs below knee and his left upper limb above the shoulder in an electrocution accident when he was just nine (2002), Tinkesh had to face his fair share of challenges before he could build an ecosystem that helped him feel included and seen.
“I have faced many challenges myself, including lack of inclusion. I was refused entry to the gym, to employment, refused participation in sports like river rafting. There is difficulty in finding a life partner too. But, I was lucky to be recognised for my potential by people who mentored me and turned my life around. With the help of my mentor Sydenstrica whom I call ‘mumma’ we built an ecosystem that is conducive to growth and achievements,” reveals Tinkesh.
Apart from a disability pension of 3000 per month Tinkesh does not avail any government support.
“Hope and gratitude has kept me going at my toughest times. That combined with determination and perseverance has kept me internally motivated. I have income from motivational talks and some modelling assignments, however that is not consistent. There is a serious need for more inclusion and involvement from society. Inclusion is currently an exception rather than the norm. The society needs to make an effort to understand and support persons with disabilities,” he expresses.
Coming from a low socioeconomic background, with his biological parents living in Haryana, Tinkesh is still in touch with his childhood friends.
“For five years after my accident my mother carried me everywhere, to school, to hospital until I received basic limbs. Advance limbs can help in function activities for arm amputees. Accessible websites, Apps can help PwDs. But basic accessible infrastructure is required. NGOs need to collaborate more and complement each other, not compete. The government needs to take a keen interest in ground level execution and governance of disability related issues and solutions.”
Tinkesh wishes to bring to the notice of the world that people with disabilities are also humans with aspirations and dreams.
“We are warriors, but like all humans, we need help from our communities to thrive. Mental health is a growing concern among the world population today, but for PwDs, it is a double jeopardy. I want them to have access to the help they need to become productive citizens. I aim to raise enough funds to provide support to amputees, their caregivers, and families to overcome their limitations and get integrated back into the mainstream. The trek may be over, but my cause is ongoing,” smiles Tinkesh wearing ‘Humanism’ on his sleeves as his religion.
