'If you think you can, you can'

"Our body and mind has infinite ability. Our ability never restricts us. Our thoughts do. If we think we can, we can. If we think we cannot, we cannot."

This is Navin Gulia's "mantra" and it has never failed him. Towards the end of 2012, an educational group in Pune had felicitated Gulia with an award. This was one of the numerous awards that Gulia has won. The event, however, gave an opportunity to the people here to get a glimpse into the life of Gulia which is brimming with will power and fighting spirit.

Gulia had dreams of becoming an Army officer like his father. He passed out of the National Defence Academy and joined the Indian Military Academy. Just days before the passing out parade Gulia met with an accident during the outdoor training competition that injured his spine and left him paralysed. That was in April 1995.

Gulia spent the next four months on the bed completely immobile. After four months he could sit up and was made to sit in a wheelchair. The doctors expressed the hope that someday, probably, he would be able to move the wheelchair on his own. Gulia had to remain in the hospital for nearly two years.

Gulia not only operates the wheelchair on his now but has several adventurous feats under his belt. He modified his car to suit his requirements and, then, drove to Khardung Lat at 18,340 feet. After conquering 18,340 feet, he wanted to do something bigger and planned to conquer Marsimik La at 18,634 feet. He drove non-stop for 55 hours to reach the world's highest mountain pass in 2004. He, then, decided to touch the skies and has done hand gliding and microlite flying.

In December 2007 Gulia launched an organisation, "ADAA (Apni Duniya, Apna Ashiana)", with a view to assist and guide the lives of underprivileged, orphaned, abandoned and differently-abled children.

Gulia has penned the book "In Quest of the Last Victory" which is the story of his perseverance and fighting spirit to achieve higher goals in keeping with his "mantra".