A Tribute To The Man Who Gears Up For His 30th Trip To Himalaya At The Age Of 100!!

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Paulo Coelho

These words are very much true in the case of Sri Chithran Nampoothiripad, a 99-year-old Kerala man who has trekked the Himalayas 29 times and preparing for the next.

AGE. A PARADOX!

Age is just a number for those who have the inner strength. Being 60 or 70 are too old for most people. ‘Old enough to do nothing much.’ But for some, it is the beginning of a new phase. Like an eagle, they gain new strength and do considerably boundless things than any other youngsters can do. For them, the amazing power comes from within.

Sri Chithran Nampoothiripad had his first visit to the Himalayas in 1952 with his dear friend. But the duo was not able to complete that trip because of food poisoning. With a great zeal to travel, he trekked to Himalaya in 1990.
Age is just a number for Sri Chithran Nampoothiripad who is preparing for his 30th trek this year, the year he is turning a century old, yet another opportunity of restoration.

STORIES OF ‘KASHI’

As a kid, Chitran Namboothiripad has heard so many stories about the Himalayas and its glorious mountain ranges from his neighbour ‘Kashi’ Nambeeshan. The experiences Kashi had while travelling all the way from Mookuthala, his village in Malappuram to Badrinath in Chamoli, Uttarakhand has truly captivated his young mind.

START OF A ROUTINE

This inspirational mountain stories at last paved way for the beginning of his expeditions after 60 years. Now going to the Himalayas is not just a travel experience for this 99-year-old educationalist but a part of his routine.

He did his first trip in 1990 and visited Badrinath, Kedarnath and other places in the Himalayas. Since then he trekked to mountain ranges without any break every October and it has been three decades now.

THE MIGHTY HIMALAYAS

According to him, the mountains stand as the perfect natural barrier between India and other countries. “It is the perfect natural barrier. If not for this, India would have been vulnerable to invasions from our neighbours,” he says.

In the earlier days, several places at the Himalayas were isolated and inaccessible by road. Hence travellers would have to trek for hours to reach certain places. But now people can reach there by bus or even take a train or fly to the closest possible distance.

A GOOD TEACHER

Chithran Nampoothiripad a national award-winning educationist, founded the first high school in his village in Mookkuthala in 1940. The school was commenced on five acres of land his family has gifted. He had worked there as a teacher and then as the headmaster of the school for a decade. After successfully running the institution for several years he offered that school to the government for just 1Rs.

Be bold in chasing your passions and the stuff you are interested in. Whatever you are passionate about, follow it adamantly. It’s the positive attitude we maintain that helps us to achieve our dream.

If you’ve hit your golden years, let Chitran Nampoothiripad’s story inspire you. He has proved himself that nothing is impossible for those who believe in themselves.

Sir, We Salute You.