Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Completes 65 Years

Darjeeling: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI,) Darjeeling, the oldest mountaineering institute of the country, commemorated 65 years of fruitful existence on Monday.

On this occasion, a bust of Major Narendra Dhar Jayal, the first principal of the HMI was unveiled. A documentary entitled Making of Mountaineers, celebrating 105th birth anniversary of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, was screened for the first time. The ascent of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary was a major boost to mountaineering in India.

One year after this historical event the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was established on November 4, 1954. It was a result of personal initiative of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and Dr. BC Roy the then Chief Minister of Bengal to promote mountaineering in India.

Legendary mountaineers including Tenzing Norgay, Nawang Gombu, Dorjee Lhato, Kushang Sherpa have been associated with this institute. Major Jayal was one of the pioneer mountaineers and promoter of mountaineering in this country. He was the first principal of the HMI and is credited to have given shape to the institute during the formative days.

Major Jayal was first to climb Sakang (24150ft) and Saken (24130ft) He had led an expedition to Nanda Devi in 1957. He was the leader and summited of Mount Kamet in 1951. He passed away on 28th April in 1958 at the age of 31 years.

“Major Jayal was a visionary. Despite all odds, including lack of infrastructure, he took the dream forward and shaped this world famous institute.

The HMI has trained more than 47000 persons, including 2500 trainees from abroad. Many of the trainees have gone on to become big names in the field of mountaineering. Many are Everesters also,” stated Group Captain Jai Kishan, Principal, HMI.

The HMI has successfully led many expeditions around the globe including two Everest expeditions. “We have a target of 7 summits, climbing the highest peaks of the seven continents. We have already completed three. Though mountaineering is our core activity we have also given strong focus to responsible climbing. We are addressing and creating awareness on important issues including environment, hygiene and global warming,” said the Principal.

HMI teams have already successfully summited Mount Everest (2003, 2012) and Mount Aconcagua (6,962m) located in Argentina, South America in 1999 and Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters) in Europe as part of Seven Summits. The 8-member team led by Group Captain Jai Kishan also created a record atop the European peak by performing yoga (Surya Namaskar) during their summit this year on independence day.

The HMI has initiated the project”Go Clean, Go Green” under which different activities are undertaken. ” One day of every course is dedicated the Tenzing and Gombu rock area in Darjeeling” stated Group Captain Jai Kishan.

The HMI will also organise a Climbathon next year at the training site at Chaurikhang area (14,600 ft) in the Kanchenjunga National Park in Sikkim.

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Source: Millennium Post

Image Courtesy: Inspirock

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