Junoon

Major Jai Bahuguna’s death on Mount Everest in October 1985 marked the tragic end of a story that began in April 1971. That day, his elder brother Harsh died in Everest.

Jai hero-worshipped his brother and was shattered on his death. Grieving silently, he made one resolve; he would climb Everest as homage to Harsh.

Jai had climbed no mountains till then. His brother’s death changed all that. Jai turned to mountaineering with ferocity and was soon going on one expedition after another.

“Give up this madness,” his mother would plead. “Mountaineering is not dangerous,” Jai would reply. “That is what Harsh said, and see what happened?” Jai would say nothing. His mother knew Jai wanted only one thing in life, to climb the mountain that had defeated his brother.

I see similarities in their lives which they lived and death which they died. Both were Army majors. Both died in their second attempt on Everest. Both died at roughly the same height---8000 meters. But Harsh died alone, Jai with three team mates.

Did they ever fear that mountaineering would take their lives? Most certainly not. The MAHABHARATA says that one of the world’s greatest wonders is that no man, though he sees others dying all round him, believes he himself will die.