Supporting school education often focuses on resources like labs, computers, or extracurricular coaching for students, while professional development for teachers is frequently overlooked. Developing teachers offers significant leverage for improving education, especially in under-resourced schools. In many cases, teachers, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas, are left unsupported, affecting the future of many children.

This initiative addresses the gap by providing physical and digital support to teachers. Workshops are conducted to empower the teachers with methodologies to shift from providing rote learning to competency-based education, and continuous on-the-job assistance will be provided through an app with relevant content and nudges. The aim is to transform classrooms from the ground up.

We welcome you to contribute, to engage with teachers or support the technological aspect of this initiative, making a substantial impact on the future of education, or in any other way you think we can serve this cause together.

Join in developing teachers to create a better tomorrow for our children, write to shridharshukla@iitbombay.org.

A disclaimer: An amateur is simply someone who partakes in an activity for reasons other than as a source of income. It in no way reflects relative ability; amateurs can and often do outperform pros, at least in the Indian context. An amateur simply achieves that while balancing other responsibilities, such as work and family, while pros give their all to their activity. 

What is ice climbing? Well, ice climbing involves climbing ice, just as one climbs rock in rock-climbing. The emphasis here is on ice climbing because one needs to understand what climbing is before trying to understand ice climbing.

Classical mountaineering is distinct from ice climbing (or rock climbing or modern alpinism), where, in the former, the means or style of climbing is secondary to reaching the summit. It is for this reason that the Everest industry has been flourishing since the last few decades, and visually blind and double amputees have also summitted (which to me is a huge accomplishment). “Climbing” Everest by the typical mountaineer does not involve actual climbing of the mountain for the most part (or for any part); guided climbs, which cover pretty much or all of Everest climbing today, involves climbing a fixed rope using ascenders (Jumaar); basically, jugging or hauling oneself up a rope pre-fixed by someone else (the Sherpa). Or cutting steps on steep ice to render the technical challenges easier; this was the style Tenzong Norgay and Edmund Hillary employed, given the technology, type of crampons, and ice axes that existed then. Ice climbing by contrast, involves actually climbing ice using one’s own ability (called “free-climbing”), and using rope and gear only for protection in case of a fall, not to assist in climbing. The technical difficulty and aesthetics of the climb are what drives ice-climbing; summiting the mountain, if any is secondary. Altering the route by cutting steps or fixing ropes defeats the whole point (barring exceptions).

Having hopefully understood what “climbing” is, (a meaning consistent with modern climbing nomenclature), let’s try and understand what “ice” is. Well, as an IIT-ian, you know ice is simply water that is frozen, a no––brainer, right? Well, ice climbing actually involves two very different types of ice: water-ice and alpine ice, each of very different character. 

Water ice is a flowing water stream that slowly freezes during the winter. It does not exist year-round but typically forms in early-December and stays through February end in the Alps and Himalaya (add a month on either side if you are referring to the Canadian Rockies; in some shaded or high altitude spots, you could climb it as late as early April). Water ice is hard (hard as in a hardness test, as well as hard as in difficult to climb). For one, because it is typically steep, upward 70 degrees to vertical and even overhanging, and for two, because it is so hard, you have to swing your ice tools and crampons hard multiple times to penetrate it and get a bite 2-5 mm deep. A rock-climbing analogy of it would be bouldering, a hard problem; a running analogy would be a 100 metres dash or hurdles; short and intense. You can often find water ice a hundred metres from the parking lot. It does not require much aerobic fitness. Of course, this applies to easily accessible single-pitch ice (no more than 40 metres long); there are some classic multi-pitch lines that run several hundred metres long.

Alpine ice is compacted snow. As the snow accumulating on a steep face undergoes cycles of thaw and freeze, and the pressure of layers of snow on top of  it results in dense, crunchy ice that is nicely bound to the rock wall on which it rests; that’s alpine ice. Alpine ice is much softer and more plastic than water ice, and a single swing of the axe can bite an inch deep. The angles are much less steep, more like 45 to 70 degrees (remember, snow wouldn’t stick on vertical faces), and the climbing is much easier than water ice. The challenge of alpine ice lies in the exposure to elements and the length of the routes; alpine ice is typically climbed as part of classic routes, such as the classic North faces of the Alps, Below is a picture of the North Face of Tour Ronde that I climbed in 2011. A rock-climbing analogy of it would be climbing a long multi-pitch route; a running analogy would be a trail ultramarathon. 

I remember the time when I and my friend Shaurya went to a paragliding session. So, there we were, riding the adrenaline wave of an escapade when a sudden weather twist brought us to an impromptu landing on a mystic mountain. The fog was so thick you could almost taste the mountain air. And just when we thought things couldn’t get wilder, a shepherd emerged from the mist, warning about leopards and bears!

Hello readers,

This is Anuj and I’ll be taking you through my journey of riding motorcycles through roads and no-roads

How it started?

The love for motorcycles kicked me early in school, around class 9th. The time, when Bajaj Boxers and Hero Honda Splendors were retiring and new generation 150cc Pulsars and Apaches were taking up the space.

I started riding on my friend’s bike, and continued to do so on my father’s Bajaj Boxer.

The bike had a longer seat as compared to bikes now with split seats. All of us being kids and thin. Generally, 3-4 of us would use it for our tuitions, Holi celebrations and all. Petrol cost was  40-50 INR/litre and mileage ~80 kmpl, money was not an issue.

I started watching videos of some moto-vloggers riding around the Himalayas. Riding in snow, through narrow patches, water crossings, winds, dust and mind boggling sceneries.

Repairing their own bikes and showing a riding brotherhood on the roads.

And that planted a subconscious thought in me to explore off-road biking and level up my riding game along with understanding of motorcycles.

I went to Manali  WFH in Dec-2020. Roaming around the mountains in 4×4 Jeeps, made me excited about riding those roads when snow melts.

As the snow started melting around late Feb, I started riding a Royal Enfield Himalayan in the mountains.

Within a span of 3 Months I did around 6000 Kms. covering:

• Manali to Tirthan
• Manali to Kasol
• Manali to Bir
• Manali to Solang
• Manali to Chandigarh

These routes were a great preparation for understanding rules of the mountains and getting to be a pro on the curves.

Around July 21 when the routes to Spiti and Ladakh opened up, I planned my first off-road trip to Chandrataal Lake.

The distance between Manali to Chandrataal is around 115 Kms and it took us around 8 hours.

The route we took was: Manali- Solang- Atal Tunnel- Koksar-Gramphoo- Batal – Chandrataal

Between Gramphoo and Batal, the 60 kilometres long stretch is possibly the worst I have ever driven on. It is simply a nightmare of a road and the speed remains restricted between 10 to 15 kilometers per hour.

Located at 1400 ft altitude and freezing temperatures makes the terrain even harder.

A little context of the riders on the trip:

In these 6 months of Manali stay (From December to July), I lived in a hostel where I met and bonded with: Praveen- A fun guy with curiosity for life, music and bikes

Mrinal: An army brat, poet, vocal, and love for bikes

Vickey: a singer, musician and a big foodie

All of us had zero off-road experience in practice, but in theory each of us knew one thing or other about off-roading. Also, talking to the riders for all these months also gave a perspective.

We knew the major risk is to fall and get either  the rider or the bike injured.

The location being completely remote, there isn’t any repair shop available. Other than the fellow riders who could help if they have the spares. All of us were acclimatized to the cold, so the temperature was not a big issue. Water crossings and getting ourselves drenched in cold water and then continuing the ride was an issue though.

Some theoretical riding jargon ahead, just read it for the sake of enjoying anecdotes ahead :

Saddling: controlling the bike while standing on the foot pegs to lessen the load on rear shocker and also reducing jerks on the back and shoulders.

Tie a rope between 2 points, and try to walk on it. That’s slacklining.

Do the same between 2 cliffs, that’s when it becomes an extreme sport. This is highlining.

When I first heard the idea of walking on a rope, to be honest, I thought it sounded lame. 

But over the years, I surprised myself with how big a part of my life it has become.

It has taught me and shaped me in ways relevant for me to effectively run a company, relevant for anyone to become a stellar part of an organisation, and beyond that, principles to live life by.

Here are the seven key lessons I’ve learned from years of highlining and explain how each applies to life.

## Lesson 1: Know the Why 

Being such a niche sport, highlining is not commercial. You cannot pay someone to make you highline. Most highlines we have to set up ourselves.

And every highline setup is unique.

So that means, you can’t just blindly apply best practices. It’s essential to know the principles and reasoning as to why certain things are done or not.

Understanding this “why” ensures you set up a highline that won’t kill you.

Similarly, in life and business, it’s crucial to not just do something for the sake of doing.

Understand motivations and desired outcomes, to understand the “why”.

Then use a strong foundation of fundamentals to achieve the outcome most effectively and improvise when needed.

## Lesson 2: Mindset is Everything

There are a few skills and techniques one has to learn to be able to highline. These are all about consistent practice.

There is obviously some level of physical ability required.

But beyond these basics, it stops being a physical sport.

It’s all in the mind.

To keep the focus for extended periods above the void, with the wind, the vibrations, those beads of sweat running down your brow, the lactic acid build-up, and the inner chatter…oh that inner chatter.

Mindset is everything. 

And so it is in career, business, and beyond – intelligence, diligence, and hard work will only take you so far. After those basics, mindset is what the true rocket fuel in life is.

## Lesson 3: You Need a Team For Your Dream 

Setting up a highline is not easy. 

From needing a bunch of specialised gear, figured out how to pass it across the valley, lugging the heavy gear and setting it up safely. It’s a massive coordinated project.

It’s miserable (and sometimes impossible) to do it without your crew, your team.

There are times when you trust in them with your life, literally.

But beyond just logistics, it’s magical to have close friends who you love, sharing and cheering you on your journey, pushing you all while having their journey. 

To share the laughs, the milestones, the fears, and the frustrations.

Anything big needs a team. And honestly, it’s a lot more fun with the right team.

I cannot imagine running my company without my co-founders and teammates.

We would not have got to where we are on our own.

A team gives you the foundation to become a better version of yourself, pull off something spectacular – and have fun doing it.

Truly, the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Find yourself in the heart of a hunting spectacle, where jackfishes, trevallies and barracudas whirl in a frenetic frenzy. 

What could be the perfect escape from city’s hustling bustling life, bumper to bumper traffic, honking horns day and night, polluted air of the roads and a corporate monotonous life where everyone is trying to climb an imaginary ladder, a ladder of self-proclaimed success, a ladder the more you climb the more you feel closer to dear loneliness and depression. What could be a way to feel a step closer to nature, to feel a bit happier and to feel peacefully relaxed in its own. A high of mind where no drugs are used, a leisurely activity, a hobby that can be enjoyed for rest of your life and a way to build your life joyfully.

I found paragliding to be the answer of all these questions whenever I sit alone in a self-critic mode analysing the days ongoing. 

People will say that I have gone mad, that it is risky to play a sport like this, that it is the adrenaline who is speaking and not the rational mind. However when you close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on a chair – a very comfortable one, looking out from a window onto the clear blue sky, sparkling snow covered mountain tops with lush green arms coming out till the ground, and the cool air breeze coming over your face and kissing your cheeks you will automatically smile and with that smile there will be tears of joy, the feeling of hugging someone after a long time, that is what you feel in air, it feels like Nature is extending its arms to surround you, you will feel overwhelmed. This is paragliding – the art of flying.

I started paragliding back in 2019, The first time I did it was in Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh. Northeast is a very tranquil place and has a soft corner in my heart. I went to NE in late 2018 for the first time when I took a research fellowship in IIT Guwahati after graduating from IIT Bombay. It was June 2018 every one of my colleagues was stepping out of the college in to the professional world and starting to earn their living. I was joining the corporate world later in November. With a four-month period in my hands, I thought to apply for a JRF at Guwahati. I Stayed in Guwahati for 3 months and explored Assam, Meghalaya and some parts of Arunachal, and immediately fell in love with the untouched serene nature of the site. and since then, I had a strong urge to visit back the serenity of the place on my vacations. I heard about NIMAS – National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports during that time. An adventure school in the lap of eastern Himalayas, situated in Dirang, on the way to Tawang from Guwahati. Few months later, it was Oct 2019 when I first spread the wings into the sky from 150 ft. slope of NIMAS. A small achievement yet the first milestone. 

Learning how to fly a paraglider is easy, it is just the way you drive a car. A coated ripstop nylon cloth when put in air pressure turns into the very basic flying machine. An aerofoil shaped wing resembling the wings of an eagle when above your head in the air is closest to flying like a bird that any human can be. There are lines connecting the glider with the seat or harness where one can sit comfortably and enjoy the lush green hills, snowcapped mountains and free flowing rivers. The wing has its own dynamics and learning about it will hit the nostalgia and can take the learner back to the fluid dynamics class of college. The two brakes on left and right give the control of direction in the hands of the pilot. 

There are different levels of learning the skill to fly – P1, P2, P3. Each level makes the pilot more comfortable for the 1st flight. Starting from learning about the equipment, the inflation of the glider, the control of direction and the deflation is what consists P1, every paragliding pilot starts from the ground training. And to emphasize, it is the most important training of all for this art of flying. Each pilot, whether a beginner or an advanced one puts a habit of ground handling to feel the wing as part of their body, as an extension of the arms. 

You can see many pilots doing the ground handling exercises in commercial paragliding sites. Pulling the glider over the head with both arms and running on straight ground while maintaining the shape of the wing above them. A basic energy intensive yet the most important exercise to get rid of the fear of flying. If it looks effortless then try doing it and you will know how good it can be as a core exercise, one can easily lose the breath after 3-4 stints of inflation and deflation.

Flying is all about inflating the glider and running down the slope with a speed in wind direction until you are airborne, in air you maintain the direction with brakes and land on feet by applying both brakes together. Once you learn how to maintain the glider above your head in the ground, you are ready for next level – P2. This level gives pilot a feel of air, the level filled with small fear of the vast openness in front and excitement inside to take a leap of faith. Trusting the gut feeling and believing in your instructors you start running downhill on a command of go on the radio which is attached on your chest during pre-flight checks. Performing the same exercises that were done in previous level just on a different ground you lose the ground beneath the feet, the butterflies in the stomach start flying vigorously with you as you fly downhill smoothly. These are called chicken flights with people chickened out before the take-off. With 100-150 ft. of hill, flying from the top and landing immediately down the slope doesn’t take much longer than a minute but it fills one with extreme happiness once the feet are grounded. Because why not? You have started harnessing the power of wind! 

The next step is to get rid of the fear of height and start playing on real playgrounds. Learning different manoeuvres of gliding is also the part of P3 level. We have many flying sites in India, Bir in Himachal Pradesh and Kamshet near Mumbai being the famous ones for learning schools.

Growing up in a beach town, walking barefoot on the sand and looking at the vastness of the ocean was a common occurrence. The occasional picnics, when friends of the family visit and we get to play in the water, were always fun. As I grew up, whichever city I lived in, if it wasn’t a sea-side town, I always felt something was missing. 

When I signed off from my last role at a large corporate firm living in a city with no beach, I wanted to do something fun and something ‘water’. While being around water was not new to me, but ‘in’ the water seemed like something I should try, so I signed up for an open water diving course – where we put on a mask and tank, jump in the ocean, go look at life under water and be merry. While (pool) swimming has been part of my life from when I was a kid (thanks to my parents and their labour of taking me to the pool every day for swim lessons that summer and many summers after that), after, being in the ocean is a whole different experience. My instructor still jokes about this – when we went out for my first dive and we jumped off the boat, I latched onto him for dear life – to be specific, held onto his neck tightly with both my arms. Guess you’re picturing that now, and as you can imagine, I had done way worse than Hrithik in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. But once we went under the surface, it was amazing. Diving has opened up a whole new world! But wait, what I didn’t see coming was the next big one. The place I went diving, also had this other sport called kitesurfing (/kiteboarding). I had just learnt of it and it looked quite interesting, the colourful kites with the backdrop of the ocean horizon. So of course, I signed up for that for my next visit.