New Delhi: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram
today flagged off the first Indian mountaineering and skiing
expedition to the world`s highest point Mount Everest.
The 28-member Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team of
mountaineers, which include one woman member Inspector Bhanita
Timungpi, will set their base camp at 5,334mt to the end of
this month enroute to the 8,848mt Himalayan peak.
After touching the highest point in the last week of
September, the mountaineers will ski down the stiff slope of
the Himalayas - an unique effort by any Indian contingent
ever.
"Experiences gained from such expeditions help the force
save many lives during the natural calamity conditions. These
are also crucial for the survival training and grooming of
leadership qualities among them," said Chidambaram, who handed
over the tri-colour to expedition leader DIG Harbhajan Singh.
"We will set up the base camp probably on August 26 and
move forward immediately after getting acclimatised with the
high altitude weather," Singh said.
There have been 17 Indian expeditions to the peak, but
this is the first one to be undertaken in post monsoon season
when the temperature plummets, making it a lot more tougher
assignment.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken was
also present on the occasion.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 17:52
