On 12th May, 2022, Jay Kolhatkar scaled Mount Everest. Jay is only 25 years old and the 522nd Indian to do so. Right from teenage, Jay was introduced to the world of trekking and nature. He organizes and leads expeditions and is also a wildlife expert. He followed his heart and is today recognized and respected as a trekker and an avid nature lover. Let us hear his story.
I always was an outdoor guy. Mountains beckoned me and wildlife fascinated me. On the other hand, theory and academics bored me. One thing I knew- I was not cut out for a 9-5 desk job. It was confusing at that point of time. One of the toughest decisions of my life was to forego conventional schooling and shift to home schooling. Today, I know it was one of the best decisions for me. My mother introduced me to trekking in the Himalayas when I was in 9th standard. From that day on, I knew this was going to be a serious part of my life.
In India, people either have less knowledge about careers that are unconventional or are too scared to follow an off beaten path. Parents are eager to support their children but have little or no knowledge about what courses to undertake, what skills to develop or what they need as a fall-back option. That’s where a wise and experienced career counsellor comes in. I am very lucky to have received the right advice at the right time. Today, my passion is my profession, and every experience gives me tremendous joy. My dream of scaling the Everest is about to come true. My journey gave me a chance to test my limitations, and that has helped me grow immensely as a person.
For me, mountaineering is all about tenacity and training. I secured an A grade in the basic and advanced courses from the Atal Bihari Institute of Mountaineering and allied skills, Manali. India offers many opportunities in this field, and there are well designed courses abroad like NOLS.
I believe every individual has a basic set of skills, but they sometimes lie unexplored. It is so important to identify your skills and awaken your passion. You have to then take the right training, so that your passion can also bring in your bread and butter. Money cannot be dismissed as irrelevant, and to my joy, I find that I needn’t compromise on financial benefits.
There are many children like me who cannot stay bound to desks and chairs. I suggest that they seek advice and guidance early and set out on the path that gives them joy and helps them develop a flourishing career. Cliched careers are not always correct. Sometimes, you have to take the road less taken.
