I did not know him, I had not heard of him and suddenly many of my friends posted “RIP” messages on their facebook pages. Well, I did some research and realised what an amazing man he is – crazy, in love with life and living life on his terms. He was a climber and he set many records … But the most important mountain he had climbed was unseen – the mountain of self-doubt and “what will others think?”. He didn’t chase the regular “life” and didn’t participate in the 9 to 5 rat race and just followed his dreams.
On the 3rd of April there this message doing the rounds on Whatsapp and other social media –
On this day, 03 Apr….
33- Christ was crucified. (The year is an estimate).
1680- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire, died of fever at Raigarh.
1882- Wood block alarm was invented (when alarm rang, it dropped 20 wood blocks).
1933- First airplane flew over Mt Everest.
2010- First Apple iPad was released.
And….
The famous actor Marlon Brando was born on 3 Apr 1924.
From the next year onwards there will be one more line added “The mountains retained their favorite child Malli Mastan Babu on April 3”.
Please read more about Malli Mastan Babu’s achievements and his glorious life. We crossed his birthplace Nellore just a few weeks back.. Around the time that he went missing. Well, he was the fastest seven summiteer (172 days), a man used to summiting mountains quickly, just wish he hadn’t chosen to ascend to heaven so soon. God bless him and as Jesus was resurrected on Easter, may Malli Mastan Babu’s spirit live on, and may the enthusiasm to love and live life be resurrected in all of us.
RIP Malli Mastan Babu and thank you.
Malli Mastan Babu – in his own words
Ace Indian Mountaineer found dead