Their paths crossed when they joined a hiking expedition co-organised by, among others, the Society of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM) and Persatuan Malim Gunung Perhutanan Selangor (MGPS). Murugan is part of SBM, while Kishan is a registered mountain guide under MGPS.
During the 1.1km expedition at Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 3, about 20 visually impaired hikers were paired with mountain guides.
For Murugan, it was his third hike albeit the first time accompanied by a guide; for Kishan, it was the first time in his 17-year career that he would hike with a visually impaired individual.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Murugan recalled the moment he first met Kishan. “I sensed that he wasn’t nervous. He believed he could lead me,” said the 29-year-old masseuse.
Indeed, it can be daunting to be completely reliant on another person. Yet, Murugan said he hadn’t been nervous at all.
With one hand on Kishan’s shoulder and the other holding his walking stick, the duo traversed trails and streams. “Based on his description, I could imagine the surroundings,” Murugan shared, adding that he had no fear even when they walked across a suspension bridge!
Asked about any challenges they encountered, Murugan quipped: “For me, there were no challenges. We had very good guides. Perhaps it was more challenging for them to lead us!”
On his part, Kishan, a civil-engineering lecturer at Inti International University in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, admitted it was tiring.
“Even though it was a short hike, we had to be their ears and eyes and keep giving instructions,” the 36-year-old noted, explaining that on standard hikes, he could complete 1km in under 40 minutes.
Still, he was amazed that although Murugan couldn’t see, his other senses were very sharp. “When we were at the starting point, I told him to feel the ground. When we were nearly finishing the trail, we came back to the same road. He told me, ‘This is the road where we started’.”
Among the lessons Kishan imparted was how to hike safely so Muguan did not fall down as he had on previous hikes. This gave him an invaluable glimpse into what visually impaired persons go through.
One incident, in particular, stands out. “One of our blind friends fell down and he told us that it’s normal for them to fall,” Kishan recalled.
While this left the guide surprised, it also made him realise something important: “They are very strong mentally. If a normal person fell during a hike, they might check for injuries or scratches. But they don’t even look at that. They just want to continue.”
Reflecting on their friendship, Murugan said: “The best part has been talking with each other. We shared so many things, and although I just met him, I feel like I’ve known him for a long time.”
As for Kishan: “When I said yes to the hike, I wanted a new experience. But somehow, I made a good friend.”