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Mentor managed Rs 70 lakhs for training

'Convincing the parents was an uphill task'

Hyderabad: “They don’t fear death. I think poverty has made them strong. They live in interior areas in hostels and kill snakes to save themselves. I think these factors contributed to their success,” said Dr R.S. Praveen Kumar, secretary of the AP Social Welfare Residential Schools, after two students scaled Mount Everest on Sunday.

Dr Kumar was the brain behind the expedition, and secured nearly Rs 70 lakh for training Malavath Poorna, 13, and Sadanapalli Anand Kumar, who scaled the world’s highest peak.

He said convincing their parents was an uphill task, especially following last month’s avalanche on the Everest.

He took his plans to Mr Raymond Peter, then principal secretary for social welfare, and his successor Rawat, who extended their full support. “We had to spend nearly Rs 70 lakh on this expedition, which is not a small amount.”

Dr Kumar recalled, “When I initiated the effort, no one came forward fearing for their lives. However, I could persuade the students and their parents after discussing with them . Soon they realised its importance and over hundred students came forward for training.”

( Source : dc correspondent )
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