Trip to Himalayan Institute of Trekking
Prachi Mahajan & Pragya Mahajan

Visually impaired persons rarely get to do activities like rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing and rope walk. Family and friends generally fearing for the safety do not encourage visually impaired to go on such
trips. Most visually impaired boys and girls on their part also do not have the confidence to go out to places which offer such activities. Part of the problem is the inaccessibility of such places and the general attitude of the operators who prefer not to take any risks.
National Association for the Blind, Delhi believes that the visually impaired should participate in all walks of life. When the visually impaired perform acts that are considered impossible or difficult for them, it raises their confidence and it positively reflects on their confidence and attitude to take up day-to-day challenges.
Recently NAB Delhi arranged a trip to the Himalayan Adventure Institute situated near Mussoorie. This place is managed by a wonderful team who are experts in their field and sensitive towards persons with disabilities. 
Here is a must-read account of the trip from two visually impaired girls.

We are two visually impaired twin sisters, studying in Miranda House College, University of Delhi. Prachi Mahajan is pursuing B. A. Honours, Political Science and I, Pragya Mahajan,  am doing B. A. Honours, Sociology. Both of us are made for each other.

We were a mixed group of college and school students consisting eleven boys and six girls, accompanied by seniors like Prashant Sir, Mukesh Sir and Gitanjali didi. Most of our trip mates were partially sighted except Rahul bhaiya and Anil bhaiya, Vishal, Sana, Prachi and I are 100% visually challenged.
It was because of the courtesy of Naresh bhaiya, Raju bhaiya, two drivers from National Association for the Blind, R. K. Puram that we could make such a wonderful trip.

We recently visited the Himalayan Adventure Institute, set up in beautiful Himalayan surroundings offering a feast of adventure. The institute is located 10 km away from the hill town of Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India, at an altitude of 4500 feet, overlooking cascading waterfalls of Kempty, having rich flora and fauna.
The institute has the most talented and professional staff and offers numerous different courses, one of which has given us the experience of a lifetime.
The objective of our trip was to initiate the spirit of adventure in our young visually challenged friends, utilize our holidays gainfully and inculcate self-confidence and courage. We were taken for trekking to the source of Kempty Falls. The very idea of this fascinating trip had given us lots and lots of anxiety. It was no doubt, very thrilling too as we were privileged to get this new kind of opportunity full of adventure.

We started our journey on the 13^th of June, at 4. A.M. early in the morning. All seventeen of our fellow friends were determined to enjoy this trip thoroughly. We had a rather leisurely approach to the whole road trip thing. The moment we started we were listening to songs, chatting with each other, cracking jokes and sharing our day to day experiences.
We had halted for breakfast at a dhaaba that sold the most amazing tandoori aaloo paranthas and many other deep fried delights.
As we proceeded further the journey very long as we found traffic jam at various places. It took us three hours to reach Mussoorie from Dehradun, whereas ideally it takes one hour. In between we got down from the cars and started walking on foot to stretch ourselves and enjoy the pleasant weather.
We eventually reached around 5:40 P.M., dead tired as it took over twelve hours to reach the institute. We were given a warm hearty welcome by the staff of the institute and served hot pakoras, tea and snacks to pacify our hunger pangs. We also were served plum chutney which was quite yummy.

(Everybody Was Gearing Up For Activities).

After a brief introduction we were explained the history of the institute. Soon the activity time began and we started with artificial rock climbing. All safety measures were used for this challenging task keeping in mind we were only beginners. This activity was very hard as it was difficult for us to visualize and be convinced to perform it. This was followed by an indoor activity of golf. In between we sang various songs, recited a few self composed poems so as to show our talents. It was a fun time.
Sumptuous food was served for dinner. Post dinner we strolled around for a while in the open area and enjoyed the cool breeze and went off to sleep around 11:30 P.M. The rooms were very neat and clean.
We got up at six in the morning and went for a leisurely walk with our fellow mates and were also explained about the beauty of the rising sun.
Well, after eating fantastic Channe Bhature and sprouts chaat we proceeded to pluck fresh plums from the trees free of any pesticides. This was an amazing activity.

(Prachi Being Escorted by Prashant Sir Down the Valley)

It was adventure time!  It was a great learning experience climbing the hills after we were drilled to keep our foot firmly on uneven hills and to maintain proper balance in order to save ourselves from rolling down.

We started with river crossing. We had to lie down horizontally along the length of a rope, pulling the rope with our two hands and keeping our legs crossed and asked to cross a 150 feet wide river at a height of 200 meters. Keeping safety in mind, we were made to wear a harness on our waist. As we could not see, we panicked. But our mother and instructor convinced us that we could do it. The whole river was echoing with screams and shouts of our friends as all were amazed to see the stunts being performed by us. We realized that our capabilities were no less or lacking. We felt that we were being taught to feel life in a new light. This activity did take time, but we did not give up.

(Vaibhav Climbing an Artificial Rock. )

(Pragya Sensing, Smelling and Touching The Cold Water).

Once this activity was over, we rested for a while, sat down on big stones in the running water flowing from a rapid (water body). We could sense and smell the beauty of nature. It did not matter how it was being conveyed- through sound, touch or the smell of flora and fauna. we thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the lap of nature listening to the sound of running water. We then rushed for the next activity which was rock climbing and rappelling. We wore the harnesses quickly and started performing the activity as we were more fascinated by the great experience of sitting in water and wanted to do so once again. There we met few tourists from Delhi and made two new friends.

As it was our leisure time we also played a few silly games to while away the time. Of course, there were times when tempers frayed, arguments broke out, sharp words were exchanged, and everyone took turns to sulk and throw the odd tantrum. After all this, we rushed down the hill, back to our respective rooms, to use a somewhat clean loo before setting out again after eating lunch. We also rested for a while so as to freshen up and enjoy the remaining activities to the fullest.

(Pragya Trying to Make Her Balance).

(Prachi Getting Instructions).

We were again taken for a few more exercises and were exposed to two kinds of poles, that is, straight line pole and a zigzag pole barely three inches wide and 6 feet long and were asked by the instructor to walk on these poles without any support. We were inspiring our friends. This activity was fun in the true sense. Here we had a group photograph session too. This was followed by the last activity, valley crossing. We were asked to walk on rope resting our hands on another rope tied above. We were a bit scared initially, but went ahead and walked on to the rope. The rope was quite shaky and it was drizzling. We followed with both our heart and our mind. The experience was exhilarating. We were pulled down using a pulley. We were asked to climb back up the 150 feet deep valley to reach the hill top on the same spot from where we began. Once we finished this activity, we realized that we needed only support and not sympathy which the instructors at the institute understood very well. We had a sense of achievement that is, we could do something different today.

(Pragya Trying To Climb Up).

By now, it was tea time. After that we went for boat racing and played a game of kabbadi.
The next morning all our friends piled into the cars, their luggage strapped above and we drove down the highway to make our way from Mussoorie to Delhi, the scenes took us right back to our childhood. We had our lunch at Saharanpur and were treated to Shikanji at Jains in Meerut.
We have to admit that none of the road trips we have taken have been half as eventful. Next time we go for any excursion just be sure to lay down one ground rule. No smart phone usage allowed, no face book, no twitter, and no instagram, just interest in what the other friends are saying or feeling.
We would like to thank all the organizers and instructors as well and all our fellow friends for being so patient and giving us an opportunity to have a comfortable stay at such an amazing place.