The Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, flags off joint expeditions to Mount Kangchenjunga and Mount Everest at South Block in New Delhi on March 26, 2025.
New Delhi: The Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, launched joint expeditions to Mount Kangchenjunga and Mount Everest from South Block, here today.
The Everest expedition is being organized in partnership with the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling, West Bengal, and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS) in Jammu & Kashmir, marking the 60th anniversary of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
The Mount Kangchenjunga expedition is being coordinated by the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, as part of its ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga’ initiative.
The team for the expedition to Mt Everest consists of seven highly skilled climbers hailing from NIM, HMI, and JIM&WS, each bringing a wealth of experience in high-altitude mountaineering and challenging environments. Colonel Anshuman Bhadauria, the Principal of NIM, will lead this ambitious expedition, which is set to commence on April 2, 2025. They will follow the historic South Col Route in Nepal, a path previously traversed by iconic climbers. Their adventure will involve navigating the perilous Khumbu Valley, acclimatizing at high-altitude camps, and meticulously preparing for the summit attempt scheduled for May 2025. This expedition aims to provide instructors with invaluable firsthand experience of Everest, equipping them to mentor and motivate future generations of Indian mountaineers.
The expedition to Mount Kangchenjunga marks a significant milestone, beginning on April 7, 2025. Kangchenjunga presents formidable challenges as India’s highest peak and one of the few summits exceeding 8,000 meters. Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, the Director of NIMAS in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, will lead this endeavor. The team comprises five expert climbers along with three support staff members. NIMAS has previously achieved the remarkable feat of summiting the highest peaks in 27 Indian states, and with the ascent of Mount Kangchenjunga, they will complete the challenge of reaching the highest points in all 28 states.
Seth emphasized that the mission transcends merely reaching the peaks; it aims to highlight India’s prowess in mountaineering and its leadership in the realm of adventure sports. He remarked, “India is rapidly becoming a significant player in the global adventure sports landscape, with mountaineering institutions under the Ministry of Defence playing a crucial role in developing this ecosystem.” He expressed his faith in the expedition teams and underscored the importance of their journey, stating, “By conquering both mountains, the teams will establish a new standard and motivate aspiring mountaineers both nationally and internationally.” He highlighted that these expeditions would not only challenge the team’s endurance, skills, and collaboration but also serve as a source of inspiration for young adventurers everywhere.
– global bihari bureau
