Memories of Mountain Adventure with Indian Army

I joined the Indian Army as a Short Service Commissioned (Non Technical ) officer. I had the experience of NCC training in Junior & Senior Division, Army Wing. I did my Basic & Advance Mountaineering Courses through NCC. I have the experience of organising mountaineering club, training and expedition as an NCC Cadet. The expedition we had organised from this club to climb Central (20620 fts.) & Lion (20100 fts.) in Himachal Pradesh (HP), district Lahul & Spiti at  Barasigri glacier. We were the first Indian who climbed these peaks. NCC flag was the first time was hoisted on any peak, it was in June 1972. NCC was one of the sponsors of this expedition.

I joined the Indian Army with the hope that I can do mountaineering activities during my Army career. I was the Indian Liaison Officer with the USA team to Mulkila Six in HP & Japanese team to Sickle Moon in J&K. It took about four months for both expeditions. By then  I had only one-year seniority in Army. I was attached to Army HQ, MS (Coord) Br. We lost one Japanese  climber Lt Takachi, Deputy Leader of Japan Self Defence Force and one Sherpa from ITBP, Hav Ang Chotar from Darjeeling.

My first unit was 64 Fd Regt, it was then in peace location. I was keen to have the experience of life in Field condition, if possible in high altitude. On my request, I was posted to 90 Fd Regt. I served about 2 years. I got the chance to join Regt. of Arty Pre Expedition to Kedarnath Peak in 1979. This peak is located in Gangotri glacier, in Uttrakhand. We were advised to report High Altitude Warfare School. (HAWS). 

This School has a great role to promote mountaineering in India specially the Indian Everest Expeditions of 1960, under the leadership of Brig Gyan Singh, a Gunner Officer &  1962 under the leadership of Col John Dias. I had good contact with the Comdt of HAWS Col D N Tankha, a Sikh Officer, he was the leader of HAWS expedition to Sickle Moon of 1975. I mate him and the team members at Kishtwar, in J&K.

We assembled HAWS, most of us were not having snow clothing, it was arranged there. Comdt was Col Narendra Kumar,

 he was ex-The principal of HMI. I had helped Leader of the expedition for planning the identification of the resources, we approached Director Arty for procurement, mainly equipment, ration, communication, medical e.t.c.

We were two Officers from 90 Fd Regt another officer was Lt (1979) Mathew Varghese. He was very fit and tough for such a venture.

 We two Oiiicers  from the Pre Expedition team . left HAWS and moved to Arty Directorate for final preparation including press conference for this expedition under the arrangement of Directorate of Public Relations, MOD. Finally, the team left New Delhi for the expedition. By then the list for PRC of our course has been out. I was not selected. I took  the permission to return unit loc for final release from the Indian Army.

Finally, I left unit loc by train with lots of memories and satisfaction to sending another mountaineering expedition to Indian Himalayas from Regt of Arty. I still remember the send-off at unit NRS where the Officers, JCOs and Ors who were there with lots of affection and worries about my settlement in civil life. The packed food was so heavy it was difficult to do the justice to food by me.  I joined the first civil appointment after 26 days of leaving my unit loc. and when I was on leave pending release period. After joining the biggest Bank of India, it was 3 years after my release when I got married the unit was located next station. I have the privilege to receive unit Offices. & family members during the reception ceremony.  

Source of Photo

No 1  ; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Indian_Army_-_High_Altitude_Warfare_School_%28_HAWS%29.jpg

No 2 Col Narendra Kumar, Ex Principal of HMI, Darjeeling &  Ex Codt of HAWS 

Remembering great hero of India

The Young Explorers’ Institute for Social Service (TYEISS) of Kolkata organised six days program in January 2008 on “Role of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Indian National Army & East Asian Countries for Indian’s freedom struggle’. The programme was supported by the following agencies :

a)      Government of India

i)                    Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (M&IB)

aa) Films Division

ab) Field Publicity Regional Office Kolkata

ii)                   National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation

b)      Government of West Bengal

i)                    School Education

ii)                   State Central Library

iii)                 Sub Divisional Information & Cultural Office, Salt Lake.

iv)                 NCC Group Burdwan

The students had the scope to attain lectures,film shows,   took part in drawing, quiz & essay competitions.

An effort was made to organise an exhibition on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose holding by the Government of India, Directorate of Audio & Visual  Publicity (DAVP).

The Song & Drama Division of M&IB was requested to stage a drama on Indian National Army, it was also not arranged by them.

TYEISS took the issue with the Government of India since 2008, recently they have received a reply from the MI&B that will be a partner in such endeavor.  Under the above condition, TYEISS is keen to organise such a program at our National Library, Alipore, Kolkata 700027 for 6 days in the month of November 2014 (preferably 2^nd week).

It is also proposed that the writers of recent books on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose may please be considered.

Teachings aids for the Schools of West Bengal, India

The Young Explorers’ Institute (TYEISS)  for Social Service of Kolkata, India is  a partner of Planning Commission, Government of India . Planning Commission of India   and also included as UN CSO Net  UN CSO Net  The Income Tax authority of Government of India has granted us to accept donation which will be exempted u/s 80G of Income Tax Act 1961. This Institute (TYEISS) has organised various educative programmes during the last 23 years in the State of West Bengal. Some of them are : At  State Central Library, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata Five days programme on ‘Ganga’ the largest river of India in 1997, Six  days programme on ‘Paribesh- O- Amra ‘ in 2006, this programme was supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of West Bengal & Six days programme on Role of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Indian National Army & East Asian Countries for India’s Independence struggle. Programmes at Birla Science & Technology, Kolkata, Science Centers Burdwan, & Purrulia West Bengal. This Institute (TYEISS) propose to hand over printed books  for educational Institutes of   the following districts :   Name of the district           Proposed number of educational Institutes     Amount of books to be gifted as  proposed a) North 24 Parganas                          60                                                               Rs. 3000.00 for each Institute b) Nadia                                              40                                                                   -do- c) Murshidabad                                    50                                                                  -do- This Institute (TYEISS) is also proposing to develop audio visuals (PPT)  for the Secondary & Higher Secondary Schools. ( no of such schools  4582 & 3954 respectively). This materials will be available at the internet and will be available free of cost.

http://www.webel-india.com/wbchse/html/contacts.html

http://www.wbsed.gov.in/wbsed/readwrite/0601634.pdf

Officers Training Academy, Chenai, India: Golden Jubliee Celebration 2013

OTA Chenai was raised in 1962. This is the only Academy of Indian Army where women are trained and get their commissioned  in Indian Army. The Last year this Academy organised 3 days celebration. Two DVD have been released on this occasion.

Golden Jubilee Celebration of Officers Training Acadeny, Chennai

Scope of joining Territorial Army in India

The scope of joining Territorial Army as a commissioned Officer the last date of Application is 30 June 2014.

What is Territorial Army A Power point presentation for you


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E2fky02Aar8T_p9kftCp4wdeWTSRlLLGh18VrIoQRqo/edit

Application for TA Commissioned Officer

Discussion on accident in Nepal Himalayas by All India radio, Kolkata on 3rd June 2014

News service of Akashbani Kokata

 http://allindiaradio.gov.in/station/KOLKATA/Pages/default.aspx   will broadcast their weekly programme call ‘Tarang’ a discussion on missing of mountaineer and sherpas at Yalung Glacier of Nepal Himalayas on 20^th Nay 2014. It is schedule to broadcast on 3^rd June 2014 at 8 pm (IST).

In West Bengal the under the Department of Youth Affairs of  Government of West Bengal, West Bengal Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Foundation (WBM&AF)   http://www.wbyouthservices.in/wb_mountaineering_adventurous_sports.html

 is supporting body for development of mountaineering activities in the state of West Bengal.

Certain questions are in the mind of the general public which they  are looking for answers few of these :

Is Ms Chanda Gayen applied for fund from WBM&AF for her expeditions to Mt. Kanchenjunga Main (8586 m.)  & Kanchenjunga West peaks ?  

Is WBM&AF has examined her plan to climb Kanchenjunga & Kanchenjunga West peaks ? What was the conclusion of the sanctioning authority of the WBM&AF in respect of Ns Gayen plan to climb both peaks in this venture ?

On 18^th May 2014 there were 4 climbers who have climbed Kanchenjunga from Nepal Himalayas whether 3 climbers also sanctioned fund by the WBM&AF ?

As per the media report 3 climbing members left base camp of Kanchenjunga  for their  return journey after hearing the accident occurred  at Yalung glacicer of Kanchenjunga West peak, Why no attempts was made by these climbers for search and rescue operation to the victim climber & sherpas ?

What is the policy of WBM&AF for funding climbers for mountaineering expeditions, is there any policy in this respect, if so is it circulated to all ?


An audio visual presentation on Everest and Kanchenjunga was organised by the State Central Library (SCL), Government of West Bengal, Kolkata on 1st October 2015. Following speakers were there

Mr Ujjal Roy, Adviser of West Bengal Mountaineering and Mountain Sports Foundation of Kolkata narrated their expedition of 2013 to Everest from Nepal. The expedition was organised by Snout an NGO. Mr Roy was the leader of this expedition, He is working with Kolkata Police. In his presentation he projected the visual of Chanda Gayen of her summit to Everst in 2013.It was not clear whether Chanda was a part of their team of 2013 ?

Mr Basanta Singha Roy presented their slides on Kanchenjunga Expedition of 2013. He explained the  Kanchenjunga  West Peak where the accident took place in 2014.

This was the first such programme organised by the SCL. 

Memory of accident in Indian Himalayas

40 years back I had joined the Indian Army, before joining the Indian Army I had undergone Basic & Advance mountaineering courses. I had joined and one of the organiser to organise National Cadet Corps' first successful mountaineering expedition to Central (20620fts.) & Lion (20100 ft.) Peaks in Barasigri glacier of Lahul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. When I was one year of my service  I was detailed for Indian Liaison Officer initially for USA expedition to Mulkila 6 (20600 ft.) of Lahul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh and then with a team from Japan Self Defence Force (JSDF), they attempted to climb Sickle Moon in Kishtwar Region of J&K. It was in July & August 1975.

They were 12 members including 2 ladies. The team reached India in 4 groups, There were 3 Sherpas from Darjeeling, West Bengal. One of them was working with the Indo Tibetian Border Police. In 1973 there was a joint expedition with the Indian Army and JSDF, Havildar Ang Choter was the only who was with a team of 1973.  I had to communicate with the members through an interpreter. We had employed 2 mail runners and 1 cook. The Japanese members were liking Indian dishes for which we were short of ration. We were dependent on Japanese food items.

After Base camp, Advance Base camp, Camp I, II the summit camp was at an altitude if about 18500 ft. An attempt was made to the summits. They returned the summit camp at about 1 am and went to sleep under the tent. They were five members in this tent, Hav Ang Choter and Lieutenant Takachi were in the center rolling stone hit them while they were sleeping. Hav Ang Choter got a head injury, he was spot dead.Lt Takachi was hit at his chest, he survived the next 2 hrs. and 30 mins. The rescue team went to evacuate them by mountaineers but it was late. The bodies were brought down by 15 climbers, sherpas & one shepherd, it took about 48 hours from 18500 fts to 12500 fts.