INDIAN ARMY SOUTH POLE EXPEDITION
New Delhi : Phalguna 10, 1932
01 Mar 2011
The first Indian Army Skiing Expedition to South Pole was conceptualized by Lt Gen Ramesh Halgali, SM, Director General of Military Training. The expedition was flagged off by Chief of Army Staff on 01 Nov 2010. This is the first Indian expedition to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the geographical South Pole. The distance of 1170 kms was covered over 50 days, braving temperatures of minus 30-400 celsius, high blizzards and difficult terrain.
The team members were selected out of volunteers from the entire Indian Army after a series of rigorous tests at high altitude warfare school, Gulmarg. The expedition members underwent specialised training at Greenland and medical tests at Special Forces training school, Nahan.
The importance of South Pole lies in the fact that it is the least polluted area on earth, being uninhabited. It is also known as the earth’s window to outer space, being the best area to study meteorology, scientific research, earth sciences and glaciology
The expedition was flagged in by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri A K Antony. During the Flag In ceremony the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri lauded the efforts of the expedition members and congratulated the Indian Army for yet another remarkable feat in the field of adventure training. He further remarked that this expedition will increase awareness about South Pole among Indians and set a trend for other adventure enthusiasts to follow.
No comments:
Post a Comment