New Delhi, Delhi, IND, 2008-11-26 15:07:23 (IndiaPRwire.com)
The year 2008 is a milestone in the history of Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). As part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations, officials from the IMF today met Honorable Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence.

As part of the 50th year commemoration, Dr Manmohan Singh released a poster - ‘Save Himalayas’ and a special cover on IMF. In return, Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, President, IMF, presented him a memento on IMF’s Golden Jubilee.

“The world is very different today from what it was 50 years ago. Environment, climate change, global warming have become major global concerns. Managing these concerns has become an expanding discipline – and an exciting challenge. Institutions such as the IMF, if they are to continue to evolve, must take the lead in addressing issues of national and international concern, “said Maj. H.P.S Ahluwalia, President, IMF

IMF, over the last five decades, has made great strides in mountaineering conquests. Some of its notable achievements are: the first Indian success on Everest in 1965 under Capt M S Kohli, which put nine climbers on its summit; the first ascent of Kanchendzonga along a new route from the North Eastern spur under the leadership of Col Narinder Kumar & then came the 1984 Everest expedition in which Ms. Bachhendri Pal became the first Indian woman to summit Everest.

As many private adventure clubs were being established, small-scale expeditions to Himalayas became common. Mountaineering so far being the exclusive domain of the armed forces became a civilian sport. In the course of time, the related sports of trekking, rock climbing and more recently sports such as climbing gained popularity. Today there are more than 500 active clubs affiliated to the IMF.

“During these years, IMF acted as a catalyst in establishing six Mountaineering Institutes, where thousands of youths have been trained. Equipped with training to work in the most demanding and dangerous conditions, many of them joined the armed forces and served the country by guarding its snowy frontiers”, said Major H.P.S Ahluwalia.

To ensure safety and monitor climbing expeditions, IMF assumed the role of approving the expeditions, both Indian and foreign, organising national and zonal level climbing competitions and conducting various courses. Every year, not less than 50 foreign and about 70 Indian expeditions are being permitted.

To encourage the sport, IMF extends nominal financial assistance to private clubs also launching expeditions and provides scholarship to deserving candidates for undergoing mountaineering courses.

With close links to the ministries of defence, home, youth affairs and environment, Indian Mountaineering Foundation has been playing a major role as the apex body of mountaineering and all related activities in the country.

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