International Disability Month Carnival
Project initiated by: Professor & Statistician Chirag Doshi
You don’t require eyes to see dreams. There are many people who aren’t privileged as us to watch, feel the world like we do, and yet they are prone to fulfill and live their dreams as dreams and goals are achieved by the fire within one's heart.
There is one such special person, Nashik born Sagar Bodke who is 75% blind and can only see 25% of the world around him but yet he has mesmerised everyone. Sagar is a climber and has travelled all around Maharashtra. He has played Athletics at national level and has also won a gold medal in Kabaddi at national level. In the last 6 months, he has travelled over 4000 km on a bicycle. For the sake of his fitness, he swims as well and works at the Bank of India.
Bouncer Avenue brings forward his exclusive interview done by our correspondent, Ritesh Sali, the excerpts of which are given below:
Education: Blind school. Graduation-Sociology, MA-Marathi
I follow one mantra, and urge others to follow it which is- don’t think much about what you are deprived of and think about what you currently have and live the best out of it for rest of your life.
Climbing History:
In 2016 after my class 12th, mountaineering called me. Harihar was the first fort I climbed. I was 22 years old back then. Till date, I have visited a total of 75 forts and I make all my efforts to make the fort clean with the help of various organizations.
In 2019, I climbed up Kalsubai- the highest peak in Maharashtra 21 times in a span of just six months which was even registered in the Wonder Book of Records International. I also climbed up the Kalsubai on consecutive days. I have even climbed up 2 forts in a single day.
Unforgettable hike:
Vazir Sulka was an unforgettable hike. No blind person had ever been up there. Initially, I couldn’t reach the top but I stayed there, got set and when I felt more comfortable, I went up. The rappeling over there was great.
In 2021, I climbed up Lingana where no blind person had ever been to.
There is a reason I say all of this, because I didn’t get a chance to go on these treks earlier with my friends as they didn’t involve me. I was even thinking that only if I were able to see the world like them, I would not have to miss on these moments but when I finally completed the Lingana trek, I realised that they didn't take me as they actually cared for me.
How do you go on night treks?
Society has accepted me as a blind person and given me innumerable opportunities. I am a nobody and I owe whatever I have achieved till now to my society, mentors, and parents. For night treks, people allow us to stay for the night and offer food all at a mere 200-300 bucks.
Planning & Preparation?
Rules and regulations of institutes ensure I won’t trouble or slow down the fellow trekkers. I learn many things from my various friends, use map, and estimate how much time would it take to reach the fort.
Advice for trekkers:
Affiliation of organizations, guides, hikers with proper knowledge along with our own capability to climb should be kept in mind and one should not go just for the sake of it. One should be equipped with full sleeve shirt, pant, headlamp, stick, well gripped shoes, water, snacks, etc. One shouldn’t use/throw plastic anywhere. Every climb requires a certain technique. I request everyone to give opportunities and encourage the differently abled trekkers.
Frequency: I trek once a month mostly with a group.
Next plan: My 27th Kalsubai trek with fellow differently abled trekkers on the occasion of World Disability Day from 4 to 5 December. I will be their guide.
(PS: The interview happened before it)
Fitness activities:
Running, cycling, walking consistently with proper diet. Use dry fruits while trekking and not ready to eat packaged food like Maggi.
Family:
My parents are farmers while my sister is a married housewife.
Lesson: When in need, get adjusted with the people around you, only then you’ll be accepted.
Who is your inspiration:
I started my journey with Shivaji Gade sir. He had been affected with Polio, and yet he made 134 trips and tours. He is still with me and I know he be there for me in the times to come.
There are many friends who inspired me a lot like Shrihari Tapkir, who had climbed Everest. There are couple of others as well who are an army personnel. There are also quite a few whom I follow when it comes to fitness.
