Mt Everest – The Enigma

For some time, I had a desire to reach the Everest Base Camp (EBC), and I am glad that I was finally able to achieve this goal over the weekend.

My interest in Mt Everest started in March 2019, when the FS2 team had completed a milestone and we went on an offsite to Udaipur. As with most offsites, we planned our next milestone, and I had themed it “Reaching the Summit – Mt Everest.” Back then, I did detailed research and connected each level of achieving the summit to the business growth we, as a team, should envision. I’m happy to say that, on the business front, we’ve achieved most of what we set out to do from that offsite. However, my personal wish to climb Everest remained unfulfilled—it lingered as a desire I held onto.

Then something happened last year: Himanshu Kapadia reached EBC, and my desire to attempt it reignited in full swing. So thank you, Himanshu—you conquered it, and that inspired me. I knew I just had to do it and stop making excuses.

Many felt I was taking a risk by attempting something so tenacious and demanding. My daughters, who trek, felt I should try some easier ones before going for EBC. Sakina thought I was too fragile, and Fawzan was too anxious to even say anything. Madan Bahal and Nijay Nair were like, “Do it if you must, but just be safe.”

I have to thank my leadership team for being so supportive and letting the show go on. My gym trainer for tolerating me, and Airborne for helping me build strength over the past month. I achieved what I did because of all these wonderful people around me. Lastly, my trekking group, who kept pushing me to do better than I did yesterday.

This trek has taught me many life lessons that I will carry forward into both my personal and professional life. But for now, thank you to everyone who has touched my life over the years.