In a heartfelt recognition of grit, courage and the spirit of inclusion, the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, felicitated the trailblazing organisers and participants from the state who were part of India’s largest inclusive trek team that successfully completed the challenging Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek on April 18, 2025.
This historic feat was led by the Tinkesh Kaushik, Goa-based Tinkesh Ability Foundation (TAF) in collaboration with adventure partner Advait Outdoors, and has since been hailed as a landmark in the disability inclusion movement in India. The trek redefined adventure by proving that with opportunity and support, no trail is too tough, and no summit too high for persons with disabilities.
Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, stated: “This extraordinary achievement by the inclusive trek team led by the Tinkesh Ability Foundation is a shining example of what persons with disabilities can accomplish when given equal opportunity, access, and encouragement. Their journey to the Annapurna Base Camp is not just a physical conquest—it is a powerful statement on inclusion, resilience, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Goa is proud to have been represented in this historic expedition, and we remain committed to promoting accessibility and inclusive adventure opportunities for all.”
The felicitation event applauded the courage of the core trekking team that included:
• Tinkesh, world’s first triple amputee Everest Base Camp trekker and leader of the expedition
• Ritesh Vaigankar, Goa’s first person with 88 percent severe disability and a right leg amputee
• Rachit, arm amputee and three-time cancer survivor from Pune
• Govind, born with one short arm, from Udaipur
• Dipendra, arm amputee and first-time trekker from Jaipur
• Nithin, above-knee amputee and first-time trekker from Bangalore
They were also joined by spirited non-disabled allies, including Sydenstrica (Founder & Chairperson of TAF), Sudharsan, Anshul, Nikith, Sudhakar, Girish, Maneesha, and Shivani, whose solidarity and support symbolised the true essence of inclusion.
The entire expedition was made possible under the expert guidance of Lalit Yadav, founder of Advait Outdoors, whose commitment to inclusive adventure played a pivotal role.
“This trek wasn’t just about reaching Annapurna Base Camp—it was about showcasing what happens when we turn inclusivity from a concept into action,” said Tinkesh Kaushik. “Every step we took was a step forward for the rights, visibility, and empowerment of persons with disabilities.”
Ritesh Vaigankar, Goa’s first person with 88 percent severe disability and a right leg amputee from Bicholim successfully trekked to the Annapurna Base Camp showed remarkable achievement traversing the entire 75km path ascending to the base camp in just 4 days.
Following their triumphant summit, four trekkers, including Tinkesh, further pushed the boundaries of possibility by taking on the world’s highest swing at The cliff in Nepal. In a jaw-dropping feat, Tinkesh became the world’s first triple amputee to complete a 228-meter swing bungee jump, breaking his previous record of 165 meters and once again proving that limitations exist only in the mind.
