There are moments in life that test not just the limits of the body, but the boundaries of the soul. For Anurag Maloo, that moment came high on the icy slopes of Mt. Annapurna—8,091 meters above sea level—where life hung by the thinnest of threads. What followed wasn’t just a miraculous survival story; it became the birth of a movement. A message to the world. A reminder that even from the darkest depths, a brighter purpose can rise.
Today, that same man—who survived one of the longest successful CPR efforts in medical history after being trapped in a Himalayan crevasse for over 72 hours—has been named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2025). It’s not just an accolade. It’s a nod to the grit, grace, and global vision of a man who came back from the brink to lead with heart.
The Fall: Into the Silence
In April 2023, Anurag was attempting to descend from Camp III to Camp II on Mt. Annapurna when he slipped and plummeted into a crevasse at 6,000 meters. The mountain, infamous for its treacherous terrain and deadly statistics, had claimed many before him. But this story would turn out differently.
For three days and nights, Anurag remained trapped in the icy void—alone, injured, and unconscious. Above him, the world rallied. His brother, Aashish Maloo, launched a heartfelt online petition demanding urgent, specialized rescue intervention. Mountaineers, sherpas, and supporters across India and Nepal joined the outcry. Time was running out.
And then—a miracle. Rescuers found him alive, albeit in critical condition, inside the crevasse. What followed was a Herculean medical effort involving sustained CPR and emergency interventions at Pokhara’s Manipal Hospital. Doctors later said that his survival defied every medical expectation.
The Rise: A Purpose Reborn
But Anurag Maloo is not just a survivor—he’s a transformer of adversity.
From that near-death experience was born The Voice of Glaciers Foundation (TVGF)—a global climate advocacy platform driven by lived experience, storytelling, and bold activism. With glaciers melting and ecosystems collapsing, Anurag’s fall became a metaphor for the planet’s fragility—and his rise, a clarion call for urgent climate action.
Through TVGF, Anurag amplifies stories from the frontlines of climate change—particularly from mountainous regions where melting ice is not just a warning sign but a lived reality.
The Climber, The Catalyst
Before the accident, Anurag was already a name known in startup and social impact circles. A mountaineer, impact leader, and venture ecosystem builder, he had spent over 15 years guiding early-stage startups, building entrepreneurial ecosystems, and empowering changemakers across the globe. From Techstars and Seedstars to Startup Weekend and UNLEASH, his fingerprints are on countless ventures driving innovation and inclusive growth.
As the Founder & Managing Director of Orophile Ventures, he backs startups aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His Climbing4SDGs initiative, recognized by the United Nations, fuses high-altitude expeditions with high-impact advocacy—literally taking the SDGs to new heights.
He’s climbed across continents—scaling peaks in over 60 countries on all 7 continents—but his true summit has always been impact.
The Leader: Recognition and Ripple Effects
In 2025, Anurag was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a title reserved for trailblazers reshaping the future. For a man who survived against the odds, this recognition isn’t just symbolic—it’s seismic.
His long list of achievements reads like a globe-trotter’s dream and a changemaker’s resume:
- REX Karamveer Chakra Awardee (2013)
- RISE Global Hero Award (2023)
- Former Teach for India Fellow, Jagriti Yatri, RSA Fellow (FRSA)
- AIYD Young Leader, SEALA alumnus, SIBF Member
- Founding Curator of WEF Global Shapers Ajmer Hub
And beyond boardrooms and base camps, Anurag gives back—serving on the boards of TiTLi, an innovative Early Childhood Care initiative, and AVP School, championing inclusive education.
The Message: From the Mountain to the World
Anurag’s story is more than a tale of mountaineering. It’s a call to courage, a hymn to hope, and a manual for modern resilience. In his own words:
“The mountain didn’t break me. It rebuilt me.”
He speaks not just of survival, but of reinvention. Not just of pain, but of purpose. Today, he is a sought-after global keynote speaker, bringing his lessons on technology, sustainability, adventure, and human spirit to stages from TEDx events to international universities and corporations.
The Legacy: Annapurna’s Anurag
He is known today by many names—“The Miracle Man”, “Annapurna’s Anurag”, “Son of the Himalayas”—but his real legacy lies in the hearts he ignites.
Anurag Maloo is not just climbing mountains anymore. He’s moving them.
And for every one of us facing our own crevasse—our dark, uncertain moments—his journey is a reminder: we can rise. Not in spite of the fall, but because of it.
Because sometimes, the deepest valleys reveal the highest callings.