9-year-old boy from Pune scales Mount Kilimanjaro
New Delhi, Aug 14: Most nine-year-olds would find it difficult to even put a finger on Mount Kilimanjaro on a map, but not Advait Bhartia, who recently scaled the the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at 19,341 feet above sea level, is also the highest in Africa.
Fondly called 'Simbum ToTo' (Little Simba), Advait reached the top of mountain on July 31, under the supervision of his expedition leader Samir Patham.
To successfully accomplish the hike, the nine-year-old from Pune took the most recommended Machame route that begins at the southern base of the mountain.
Advait, who also successfully trekked to the Everest base camp as a boy of six in 2016, finished the summit in seven days.
"This trek was really difficult but fun at the same time. When I was summitting (sic) the Everest Base Camp, we were living in wooden houses but during the Kilimanjaro trek, we stayed in tents and it was a good experience being exposed to snow and the surroundings.
"I could have completed the trek faster but the mountains were very beautiful and I took a lot of breaks to take in the beauty," Advait, who has Europe's highest peak Mount Elbrus on his bucket list for next year, said.
He added that thin air, reducing atmospheric oxygen by approximately 50 per cent, and sub-zero temperatures ranging between minus 21 and 25 degrees celsius at higher altitudes were some of the challenges he braved during his expedition.
According to his mother Payal Bhartia, Advait underwent stringent training over a period of two months to gear up for the climb.
"His routine included swimming for an hour, cardiovascular training like playing football, cricket and tennis in the second hour and climbing 100 floors and practising Parkour (military obstacle training) was a regular part of the training during the third hour," she added.
Payal, who accompanied her son during the hike, had to cut short her journey by 1000 ft on the way up as she was unable to acclimatise to the increasing altitude.
"I am very proud of Advait and his dedication towards completing this trek. On the last day, Advait got emotional and he individually thanked the porters, the tent pitchers and the catering team for all their efforts," she said.
The trek was organized by Pune-based adventure and trekking company Adventure Pulse.
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PM Modi 'surrendered' before Trump, US trade deal will devastate farmers' livelihood: Cong
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "surrendered" before US President Donald Trump in agreeing to the India-US interim trade deal, which, it claimed, will “devastate” the livelihoods of crores of farmers across states.
Slamming the Centre, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said trade agreements should not become a path to slavery by “sacrificing a country's sovereignty”.
“Trade agreements are the path to economic progress. The very foundation of trade agreements is mutual public interest on equal terms. Trade agreements should not be a path to slavery by sacrificing a country's sovereignty. National and public interests cannot be sacrificed under the guise of trade agreements,” Surjewala said at a press conference.
Tagging Surjewala's statement at the presser, Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the former explained how this trade deal will "devastate" the livelihoods of millions of farmers across states.
"The prime minister has completely surrendered before President Trump - just as he did on May 10, 2025, when he abruptly and unexpectedly halted Operation Sindoor," Ramesh said on X.
Through the US-India trade agreement, the Modi government has sacrificed the interests of India's farmers and farms, Surjewala alleged at the presser.
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"India's energy security was openly compromised. Serious questions have been raised about India's digital autonomy and data privacy. Instead of standing firmly in defence of India’s interests, a helpless government compromised India's sovereignty and self-reliance,” he claimed.
People are asking whether it is a “mazboot sarkaar” (strong government) or "majboor sarkaar” (compelled government), an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” or “America-nirbhar Bharat”, he claimed.
Surjewala also said that importing American agricultural and food products into India's agricultural market is a "direct attack" on farmers' livelihoods.
"In the very first point of the February 6 Framework Agreement of the US-India trade deal, India agreed that it would open its market to US agricultural and food products without any import duty,” he said.
The question is if processed maize, sorghum, soybean, fruits and other products also come to India, won't they have a direct impact on the country’s biodiversity and seed purity, Surjewala asked.
Has the Modi government opened the doors for GM Crops in India through the back door, he asked.
The Congress leader also said that point 5 of the trade agreement clearly states that, considering America's concerns, India will remove its non-tariff trade barriers.
“America gives its farmers an annual subsidy of about Rs 1.45 lakh crore. In contrast, in India, a subsidy of Rs 6,000 is given per farmer family, but Rs 25,000 is taken back through expensive diesel, fertilisers, electricity, and pesticides.
“Despite this, Narendra Modi made an agreement with America that we will reduce farmers' subsidies and approve GM crops,” Surjewala said.
The Modi government has put India’s interests at stake in the trade deal with America, he alleged.
Three issues are most critical in this (deal) – agriculture, energy security and trade terms, he said.
Surjewala also alleged that the deal essentially amounts to "playing with India's energy security".
"On February 6, US President Trump wrote in the penalty tariff order: India has promised the United States that it will not buy crude oil from Russia. Trump also wrote: The United States will monitor whether India buys crude oil from Russia, directly or indirectly.
“If this happens, the penalty will be reimposed. In the fact sheet issued by the US president on February 9, the statement that India has promised not to buy crude oil from Russia was repeated," he said.
Between February 2022 and January 2026, India imported crude oil worth Rs 15.24 lakh crore from Russia and saved approximately Rs 1.81 lakh crore due to lower prices, he claimed.
"Now, on Trump's insistence, the Modi government will buy crude oil from the US and Venezuela, but the rates will not be cheap. In such a situation, my direct question is – isn't this playing with India's self-reliance?" Surjewala asked.
He said the main question is whether the trade agreement is based on equality or coercion.
“So, why is the Modi government agreeing to it? The country demands answers,” Surjewala said.
