An interview with S. Prabhakaran, IFS

Deputy Conservator of Forest, Udupi

Interviewers - Adarsh, Sowmya, Nagendra, Beebi Sulthana and Pradeep II Com

  S Prabhakaran is the 2011th batch IFS officer. Now he is the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) of Udupi. It is remarkable that he is the first IFS officer to scale Mount Everest .
     He was in our college as the cheap guest on 6th July to celebrate VANAMAHOTSAVA. We, the student interviewed him about his interest and experience in mountaineering.
Adarsh : Sir, how did you take to adventure activities?
S Prabhakaran : Since my childhood I have  been interested in sports I used to play kabbadi, cricket, football and volleyball. Initially I was not interested in trekking. But when I was in college, I became a member of trekking and hiking club and developed interest. I also participated in many trekking activities. Then I became the secretary of that club and took to mountaineering.
Pradeep : How did your dream of scaling Mount Everest germinate?
S. Prabhakaran : As I participated in trekking, I got to know about my strength and skill. I also developed my confidence in mountaineering. Then I began to feel and dream that I could scale the highest peak , Mt. Everest . I also attended a training in Himalayan Mountaineering institute of Darjling.
Sowmya : Please tell us about your first expedition in 2015.
S. Prabhakaran  : In 2015 we, the five members team headed towards the peak. We took the Southern route from Nepal side.  After climbing about 6000 meters, we had to stop because of earth quack avalanche. Heavy heartedly we returned.
Nagendra : How did you prepare for the next expedition after the first failure?
S. Prabhakarn : I had decided not to stop back from my aim. So, it was a challenge for me to prepare mind. My friends and department encouraged me.
Beebi Sulthana : Please share your experience of 2016 expedition.
S. Prabhakaran  : This time I was in a team of six member. We had decided to take the Northen route from the Chinese side, although it was dangerous as it was steep. We reached then final base camp at the height of 6400 meters. We climbed for a week from there and reached the place called, “North Pole”, stayed the might there without oxygen. It was the test of our endurance. It was very difficult from there until we reached the height of 8300 meters. Because we  had carry oxygen cylinders and materials weighing 6 kgs along with our things. But we did not give up. After 40 days of climbing we reached the summit.
Adarsh : Sir, how did your feel after scaling the summit?
S. Prabhakaran : I was very much thrilled. All my hard work had yielded result. I stayed there for 15 minutes watching spectacular scenes.
Pradeep : Sir your achievement is an inspiration to all of us. What is your advice to youth who wants to take adventure activities as their hobby?
S Prabhakaran : We have to continuosly participate. Then we can know our strengths. We have to strengthen our minds to do hard work and should have patience. We should not move away from our aim.
Students : Thank you sir.