Meet Atul, Who Worked As A Horse-Mule Handler And Cracked IIT Madras Without Coaching
Atul Kumar, a horse handler's son from Uttarakhand, cracked IIT-JAM 2025 with no coaching. Now headed to IIT Madras, his inspiring journey is a triumph of grit and self-belief.
Atul Kumar, the son of a horse handler from Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, has made headlines by securing a seat at IIT Madras through the prestigious IIT-Joint Admission Test for Master's (JAM) 2025. Once a young man who ferried pilgrims on horseback along the steep trails of Kedarnath Dham to support his family, Atul's journey from the Himalayan slopes to one of India's top institutes is nothing short of extraordinary.
Atul comes from a modest background in a remote village where educational resources are scarce, and awareness about competitive exams is minimal. Despite these limitations, his resolve to create a better life for himself and his family pushed him to dream big. Sharing his journey, Atul said his only motivation was 'to move ahead in life and do something better" for himself and his family.
'I am from a small village in Rudraprayag… I did not know much till the 12th standard. There is not much awareness in hilly areas. I did not know that something like IITs even exists," Kumar told ANI.
Support, Self-Study And An Unshakeable Will
After completing his 12th grade, Atul did not take any entrance exams, primarily due to a lack of guidance and exposure. However, his path took a turn when he learned from teachers that he could still pursue a Master's degree from the IITs. Their encouragement became the turning point in his life.
'I did not take the entrance exam after completing the 12th grade. But then I got to know through teachers that I could pursue a Master's degree from IIT. My teachers and friends supported me and motivated me a lot," he added.
Atul's preparation journey was as challenging as his life in the mountains. He started studying for the IIT-JAM exam in July 2024, right after returning from Kedarnath, where he had spent June helping his family earn a living by guiding pilgrims on horses and mules. The conditions were tough — there was no internet, and they lived in tents, making it nearly impossible to study during the pilgrimage season.
'I began studying in July. I had just returned from Kedarnath, where I was working in June–there was no network, and we lived in tents, so studying was not possible. My friend Mahavir, who had previously prepared, helped me a lot by sharing his notes. I studied consistently till January, and the exam was in February," he said.
His focus remained unwavering throughout, driven by a deep desire to break free from the limitations of his circumstances.
'My biggest motivation was to move ahead in life to escape that place and create something better for myself," he added.
From Local Hero To IITian
Atul's father continues to work as a horse handler, and the family relies on this as their primary source of income. Atul often helped his father during holidays, balancing his responsibilities between work and studies. His elder sister is married, and his younger sister has just completed her education.
What makes Atul's success even more meaningful is the pride it brought to his community. The overwhelming response and love he received after the results were announced touched him deeply.
'The response has been overwhelming. More than my own joy, it was the happiness on others' faces that touched me, from teachers to people who never even taught me, everyone called to congratulate me. It feels good to bring pride to my community," he added.
Atul Kumar's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of education to transform lives. From guiding horses on treacherous mountain trails to walking the corridors of IIT Madras, he has shown that no dream is too big if one is willing to work for it.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Indore-bound IndiGo flight reports technical snag, lands safely; company regrets inconvenience to flyers
NEW DELHI: An IndiGo flight from Goa to Indore on Monday reported a technical snag just before landing. The flight 6E 813 landed safely in Madhya Pradesh's Indore and will undergo necessary checks before resuming operations, said an IndiGo spokesperson. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The spokesperson added that the company is making all efforts to minimise its impact on any subsequent flights. "The aircraft landed safely in Indore, and will undergo necessary checks, as per mandatory procedures, before resuming operations," ANI quoted the spokesperson. "We are making all efforts to minimise its impact on any subsequent flights and regret any inconvenience that may be caused to our customers," he added.
India.com
16 hours ago
- India.com
Why Dharamshala Is More Than Just Monasteries and Cafes: Discover Its Hidden Soul
Mountains do not hide secrets. They whisper them to those who slow down enough to listen. When the first mist rolls down the pine forests of Dharamshala, something shifts. Tourists clutching paper cups of café lattes stop to look up. The Dhauladhar ranges loom larger. The air smells of cedar and earth. And beneath the usual bustle of Mcleodganj, a gentler side of this Himalayan town quietly calls out. Most people come here for the Dalai Lama temple or a selfie at Bhagsu waterfall. But what if we told you: Dharamshala is not just for monks and markets. It is for moments. Hidden trails. Ancient caves. Tea gardens that hum with stories while the world snaps Instagram shots outside a café. Let's wander deeper — past the obvious. Into the true heartbeat of this mountain town. What makes Dharamshala different from any other hill station? It's not just the altitude. It's the attitude. Unlike the over-polished hill towns with concrete resorts and mall roads, Dharamshala still breathes raw. Its roads bend like question marks. Its forests hold memories older than roads. And its people — monks, Gaddi shepherds, chai stall owners — they welcome you not as a tourist, but as someone who might just stay back forever. It rains here, snows here, shines here — sometimes all in a single day. The weather is a teacher. It slows you down. Makes you wait for a cloud to pass. Makes you notice how snow settles gently on prayer flags. This is not just about visiting. It is about letting a place change your pace. Tired of McLeod Ganj cafes? These must-do activities are waiting to be felt 1. Hike to Triund – The Beginner's Everest Yes, everyone talks about Triund. But not everyone sees it. Start early. Let the mist clear slowly as you climb. Pause at Magic View Café — an old tea shack that has seen more hikers than any hotel lobby ever will. The trek is not hard, but it demands your breath and your time. At the top, the Dhauladhars look close enough to touch. Camp overnight if you can. Wake up to clouds crawling into your sleeping bag. The best sunrise here is not clicked. It is felt on your skin. 2. Meditate at Tushita – Silence Louder Than Traffic Hidden above Mcleodganj is Tushita Meditation Centre. No loud boards. No aggressive marketing. Just a small gate that opens to a place where silence has its own sound. Take a drop-in meditation class. Sit in a garden where monkeys are your only audience. Here, you learn to listen to your mind. And maybe, teach it to sit still for a while. 3. Explore Norbulingka – Where Art Breathes Skip the souvenir shops on Temple Road. Instead, head down to Norbulingka Institute in Sidhpur. Walk through Tibetan gardens. Watch artists paint thangkas. Carve wood. Cast statues. This is not a museum. It is living culture. If you have time, sign up for a short workshop. Carve your own memory into a piece of wood. The café inside serves momos under prayer flags. Simple. Honest. Perfect. 4. Wander Tea Gardens – Fields That Talk to the Wind Dharamshala's tea gardens don't shout for attention. They wait quietly on the slopes of the Kangra Valley. Drive to Mann Tea Estate or Kunal Pathri. Walk with a local worker if you can. Listen to how they pick leaves. How they read rain. Buy fresh Kangra tea. Not from the shops on the main square, but straight from the factory gate. Here, every cup is a story of rain, sun, and patience. 5. Find the Ancient Caves of Guna Devi Not all temples have loud bells. Drive to Galu Temple near Dharamkot. From there, hike into the forest to find Guna Devi cave. A sacred spot where local shepherds still tie prayer cloths and whisper wishes to the goddess inside. The path winds through deodar and rhododendron. You may not meet another soul for hours. Sometimes, the best prayers are the ones you say without words. 6. Volunteer at a Monastery or School – Give Back a Day Dharamshala is not just for taking pictures. It's a place to give. Spend a day teaching conversational English to young monks. Help at a local animal rescue. Or just read stories to Tibetan refugee kids in a community library. You may not change the world in a day. But you might change how you feel about travel. 7. Chase Waterfalls Beyond Bhagsu Bhagsu is crowded. Everyone knows it. But a short hike beyond takes you to hidden cascades. Ask a local to guide you. Walk past slippery stones. Hear the roar grow louder as tourists thin out. Sit on a rock. Dip your feet in icy water. Stay till your bones feel new. Why go offbeat in Dharamshala? Isn't it risky? Yes, the weather can flip in a moment. Roads get muddy. Trails may disappear into clouds. But maybe that's the point. The mountains don't promise comfort. They promise truth. A reminder that not everything can be planned on a spreadsheet. Some days, you walk in rain just to find a rainbow behind a ridge. It's not about how many places you tick off. It's about how deeply you let a place tick inside you. Practical Tips: How to Wander Dharamshala the Right Way Pack layers – This mountain air changes moods faster than you do. Walk more than you ride – The best turns are not on Google Maps. Eat local – Thukpa in small Tibetan kitchens tastes better than any pizza café. Respect silence – Monks don't chant for your Instagram. Listen more than you snap. Leave light footprints – Take back memories. Leave nothing but gratitude. The hidden heartbeat of Dharamshala Every step you take off the usual path keeps this place alive. You help homestays run by old Tibetan families. You buy tea from local gardens, not corporate brands. You hire young guides who know these forests better than any app. You show that Dharamshala is worth more for its silence than any concrete hotel can promise. So what's stopping you? A muddy trail? A missed sunset because clouds rolled in? That's the charm. Dharamshala, when slow, is a blessing. And while tourists rush back to the market for souvenirs, you could be at a hidden waterfall, or sipping tea under an old cedar, or hearing a monk laugh about life's small ironies. Not for a reel. Not for likes. Just for you. Final Thoughts Don't just visit Dharamshala. Let it visit you. The next time the mountains call, don't just pack a bag. Pack an open heart. Because the best parts of these hills don't come with a signboard. They come softly. On a trail. In a smile. In a prayer flag fluttering above your head. And all you have to do is listen.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Anand Mahindra fell for India's ‘last village' in Himachal and you might too after seeing the viral photo
A single photograph recently mesmerized the internet, raising one simple question: is it art, AI, or nature? Industrialist answered that question by sharing a stunning image of Chitkul, the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border in Himachal Pradesh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Captured by photographer Divya L Chaitanya, the image looks almost unreal — showcasing the turquoise Baspa River snaking between snow-capped peaks under a crystal-clear sky. Mahindra's post went viral within hours, stirring emotions, admiration, and awe across platforms. But beyond the visual magic lies a real village rooted in sustainability, natural beauty, and rich Himalayan culture. Anand Mahindra captures Chitkul's magic in viral photo that looks too perfect to be real The viral image features a panoramic view of Chitkul, where the Baspa River glistens like liquid emerald against a backdrop of towering Himalayan ranges. Wooden houses dot the landscape while snow-covered peaks stand sentinel in the distance. Shared on X (formerly Twitter), Anand Mahindra captioned the photo: "Nature's brush or digital magic? But the image is raw and untouched… reminding us that NO artist can outpaint nature's canvas." The photo sparked thousands of reactions, with viewers questioning whether it was a hyper-real painting or a digitally enhanced render. Where is Chitkul and why is it so special Chitkul, located at an altitude of 3,450 meters, is the last Indian village on the Indo-Tibetan road in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Accessible only during specific months due to snow and weather conditions, the village represents the frontier of human settlement. What sets Chitkul apart is not just its remoteness but its breathtaking setting—surrounded by alpine meadows, glacial rivers, and panoramic views of the Himalayan range. The village is sparsely populated, retaining a sense of untouched serenity rarely found in more commercialized hill stations. Sustainability in the mountains: Chitkul's green model for tourism Beyond its scenic allure, Chitkul is a model of eco-conscious living. According to the Incredible India tourism board, the local community actively: Practices organic farming with little to no chemical use Engages in reforestation to combat soil erosion and preserve native tree species Encourages the use of eco-friendly alternatives over plastic Promotes responsible tourism to ensure the environment remains undisturbed These practices have helped maintain Chitkul's pristine environment even as tourism gradually increases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chitkul as a spiritual and adventure destination For trekkers and spiritual seekers, Chitkul is a gateway to one of the Himalayas' most revered routes — the Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama. This sacred pilgrimage encircles the Kinnaur Kailash peak and is believed to be deeply connected to Lord Shiva. The trek attracts both seasoned mountaineers and religious devotees, offering a mix of spiritual fulfillment and physical endurance. Visitors also engage in shorter hikes through apple orchards, riverside paths, and nearby meadows rich in Himalayan flora and fauna. How to reach Chitkul : Travel essentials Reaching Chitkul is an adventure in itself. Here's a quick guide: By Air: The nearest airport is Chandigarh. By Train: Chandigarh and Kalka are the most accessible railheads. By Road: From Chandigarh or Delhi, one must travel to Shimla, then onward to Reckong Peo via Sangla Valley. By Bus: HRTC buses from Delhi and Chandigarh go to Reckong Peo, from where taxis or local buses take you to Chitkul. The final leg of the journey is scenic but challenging, often through winding, narrow mountain roads. Source: Incredible India Chitkul's viral photo ignites online praise and calls for nature conservation Once Mahindra's post went live, netizens across platforms couldn't stop praising the surreal beauty of the image. Many shared their own travel experiences, affirming that no photograph can truly capture the tranquility of Chitkul in person. Others remarked how no filter or digital manipulation could compete with nature's raw splendor. Photographers praised the composition and lighting, while nature lovers emphasized how such places reinforce the need for conservation and mindful tourism. Also Read |
