NIMAS Team
Photo: Northeast Now

The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig. (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) on Sunday felicitated the Mount Everest conquerors’ team from National Institute for Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar.

They scaled the peak on May 19 and 20. The NIMAS team was led by its Director Col Sarfraz Singh.

The team reached the summit of the highest peak in the world in two batches. The team was supported by its Medical Officer Captain Abhishek Tripathi of Army Medical Corps, who manned the Camp II.

Mountaineering Instructor Havaldar Sanjay Kumar of 16 DOGRA, Naik Ram Singh of 2 GARHWAL Rifles, Naik Hem Singh of 12 DOGRA, Naik Pravendra Kumar of 12 GARHWAL, Lance Naik Gajur Man Rai of 6/11 GORKHA Regiment from the Indian Army and Tongchen Nimsonga and Dorjee Khandu from Dirang, West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh are the successful conquerors of Mount Everest.

Col. Sarfraz Singh’s oxygen supply snapped during his climb from Camp III to Camp IV. Unmindful of the problem he did not give up and despite severe fatigue forcing him to ground in Camp IV, he attempted the last leg of climb from Camp IV to the summit the following day and conquered the peak on May 20 .

Congratulating the Team, the Governor said that the NIMAS has proved its worth far beyond its mandated role as a premier institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in the Region. He hoped that it continues the tradition and produces more world class mountaineers from the armed forces and our State Arunachal Pradesh.

The Governor conveyed his appreciation to the Institute for encouraging local youths in the sports of mountaineering. He advised the NIMAS Director to scout for more mountaineers from different parts of the State.

The Governor said that conquering Mount Everest by the team is not only a feat of skill but it is an example of courage, adventure, enterprise, sportsman spirit and positive ambition.

Director NIMAS briefed the Governor and the First Lady about the expedition. He informed that the Team was Flagged Off by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on  March 25.

Earlier this year on  January 16, the Governor and the First Lady had visited NIMAS, Dirang during their District Tour to West Kameng District.