A real-life Spiderman, who lives in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, jyothi raj karnataka, 22 years old is often compared to the superhero by tourists at India’s Chitradurga Fort where he performs. Jyothi Raj has the amazing ability of being able to stick to a wall upside-down. The daredevil climber is a hero in India wowing crowds by scaling heights of up to 300ft without a harness. Everybody know him as a
Desi Indian Spiderman.
The former construction worker discovered his climbing ability four years ago while scaling bamboo scaffolding. Convinced that his talent for climbing is a gift from the gods, Jyothi says he has never had an accident, he taught himself how to climb by watching monkeys climb trees. He also says, his agility has been enhanced by analyzing stunts from his favorite movies. “My ability to see the foothold that others can’t is proof to me that I was born to climb,” explains Jyothi.
Jyothi Raj trains every day to improve his upper body strength…and he uses yoga to maintain his flexibility. Jyothi says that his family are tolerant of his climbing, believing that he is in full control at all times.
Jyothi Raj has never used safety equipment (Only chalk powder) to climb with instead he prefers to hone his climbing skills on the notoriously dangerous building sites of India. Nowadays he entertains crowds at the Chitradurga fort complex: “I love to see their faces when I position myself upside down,” he says.
Having climbed the walls and rock faces in and around the fort complex, Jyothi is keen to test himself further. Now he wishes to become recognized as the world’s best climber. He says he wants to move on and climb buildings and mountains. He admires French free-climber Alain Robert, wishing to emulate his success by proving his climbing ability to the world.
jyothi raj karnataka now teaches others how to climb…and hopes to one day open his own climbing school. Jyothi occasionally climbs with a few friends. “They of course use safety harnesses, they do not have my ability to move fast or grasp the rock face”.
Zara Hartshorn from the UK is 13 years old But she looks much older than her age. She suffers from a genetic disease called lipodystrophy that makes her look like an adult. She has the face of a grown woman, gaunt and wrinkled. But she's a frightened teen inside.
Zara Hartshorn lives at home with her mom, sisters and a brother. There is, of course, the usual rough-and-tumble and sibling bickering one would expect in a large family. But, Zara said, she feels safe and loved. No one makes fun of her, unlike every time she steps outside her front door, where she's scared. "It feels like people are looking down their noses at me and staring," she said at her home in northern England. "You know when you get that feeling you're being watched? I feel that everywhere I go." When asked what she feels when she sees her own face in the mirror, Zara said, "I don't like it. Sometimes I'll sit in my room and start pulling my skin back, stuff like that. Most teenagers worry about getting spots. I'm worried about surgery and stuff like that and when's bullying going to stop."
