Raksha Mantri Flags Off Indian Army and NCC Mountaineering Expeditions to Everest, Kangchenjunga

New Delhi: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh flagged off two ambitious mountaineering expeditions to Mount Everest (8,848m) and Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m) from South Block, New Delhi. These expeditions, undertaken by the Indian Army and the National Cadet Corps (NCC), aim to set new benchmarks in high-altitude mountaineering while inspiring future generations.

The Indian Army’s Mount Everest expedition comprises 34 climbers and will follow the traditional South Col Route. The team is led by Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Joshi and is set to embark on its challenging ascent this month, aiming to reach the summit by May 2025.

In addition to this, a joint Indo-Nepal expedition will attempt to scale Mount Kangchenjunga. The team consists of 12 Indian Army mountaineers and six from the Nepali Army, led by Colonel Sarfaraz Singh. This collaborative effort highlights the strong bilateral ties between India and Nepal in the realm of adventure sports and mountaineering.

Further strengthening India’s legacy in high-altitude expeditions, a joint NCC Everest expedition, led by Colonel Amit Bisht, will also undertake the formidable climb. This team includes five girl cadets, five boy cadets, four officers, and 11 permanent instructor staff. Their ascent to Everest is scheduled for the same timeframe as the Indian Army expedition.

Interacting with the mountaineers, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh lauded their courage, dedication, and determination. He expressed confidence that their endeavors would serve as an inspiration to youth across the nation and reinforce India’s leadership in high-altitude mountaineering.

“These expeditions showcase the exceptional skills and resilience of our Armed Forces and young cadets. Their determination to conquer such formidable peaks embodies the spirit of excellence and perseverance that defines India’s mountaineering tradition,” said the Raksha Mantri.

The flag-off event, organized by the Indian Army, was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Dr. Shankar P Sharma, a Nepalese delegation, and senior civil and military officials. Their presence underscored the significance of these expeditions in strengthening India’s reputation in the global mountaineering community.