Why 21-year-old Amgoth Tukaram braved hunger and extreme weather to scale Mt Everest to save nature

While climbing the mighty Mt Everest, Amgoth Tukaram faced one hurdle or the other at every step. Not only did the 21-year-old stare death in the face several times in the 45 days he took to climb up and get down Earth's highest mountain above sea-level, but he also lost a team member too. "Dehydration, traffic on the Everest, hunger, a fire accident, extreme cold...," lists out the youngster as he tells us about all the problems that he faced while scaling Mt Everest in April 2019. What saw him through every problem that he faced was his sheer will to achieve and not let his parents down or his sponsors, through whom he had gathered Rs 30 lakh to climb the mountain. "I come from a family of farmers. When I was a child, my father used to tell me that I should not become a farmer, I should earn a name in the society and do something for the country," says Tukaram who has pursued BA in Political Science from Noble Degree and PG College, Hyderabad.

So cold: Tukaram during one of his climbs | (Pic: Amgoth Tukaram)

Tukaram was a part of the National Cadet Corps. Very soon, he was selected for mountaineering and in 2015, he was sent to Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi for further training. Since then, he has conquered peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus and many more. "At the peak of every mountain, I dedicate the climb to one message. Like for Mount Everest, my message was to protect the five elements of nature," says the youngster humbly.

After scaling the Seven Summits, he would like to join the Indian Army  

Next, Tukaram, who has been congratulated by President of India Ram Nath Kovind and former Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan, has his eyes set on Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia, and he is also on the lookout for sponsors who will enable him to fulfill this dream. "In a very short time, I want to climb all the Seven Summits of the world and I want to be the youngest person to do so. I am working very hard for it," he says sincerely and adds, "I want to work hard so that I can inspire others."

Always smiling: The mountaineer Amgoth Tukaram | (Pic: Amgoth Tukaram)

The peaks he scaled, the messages he delivered
- Mount Norbu: Celebrating Telangana State formation
- Mount Rudugaira: Encouraging people to use khadi
- Mount Stokkangri: Displayed a 19-feet Indian flag
- Mount Kilimanjaro: Encouraged use of helmet
- Mount Elbrus: Message against drugs

Moment of pride: Tukaram being congratulated by former Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan | (Pic: Amgoth Tukaram)

To reach out to him, dial 96767 61570