Meet the 'kombans' who travelled Ooty on wheelchairs

When the 'kombans' decided to visit Ooty, nothing could get in their way. The group of 25 differently-abled people fixed their wheelchairs onto their three-wheeled scooters and took off to Ooty as a grand rally. They spent two days in Ooty visiting places in their wheelchairs. This trip gave them great confidence and it didn't take too long to plan another one to Kullu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh. 'Kombans' is a group of differently-abled people from the Malappuram-Perinthalmanna areas, who can move only in wheelchairs.

The idea to set out on a scooter trip to Ooty came up during their usual evening chit chat. All 25 members got ready for the journey in just a week's time. They weren't sure how they would move around Ooty once they reached there. That is how they decided to attach their wheelchairs onto the scooters and take the trip.

Their journey began with a delicious breakfast from the valley of the Naadukani mountain pass in Perinthalmanna. They were admitted for free at many places including the botanical garden, seeing their great enthusiasm and passion for travel. They weren't allowed, in the beginning, to enter the beautiful meadows in Pushpanagari, with their wheelchairs. But the kombans were not ready back out and they finally did enjoy the beauty of the lush green meadows.

This group has already proved their mettle by initiating unique activities like 'music on wheels' and 'drama on wheels.' They have already begun preparing for their next grand trip to Kullu-Manali.