Indian Navy team scales Mt Everest

Wednesday, 19 May 2004, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: A group of officers and sailors of the Indian Navy Tuesday became the world's first naval team to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest from the north face route in Tibet. The Indian Navy team was also the first from the Indian armed forces to summit Everest from the north face route, which is considered more difficult than the South Col route in Nepal. This was the Indian Navy's maiden expedition to Everest. Surgeon Lieutenant Viking Bhanoo, a navy doctor, planted an ice axe with the Indian tricolour and the Indian Navy's flag atop the summit. Leading Medical Assistants Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar and three porters assisted Bhanoo. A second summit attempt is likely to be made Wednesday by three naval personnel and three porters. This group comprises the expedition leader, Commander Satyabrata Dam, Lieutenant Commander A. Kankan and Lieutenant Lijo Stephen Chacko. If the second team is successful, yet another first would be added to the Indian Navy's achievements - Commander Dam would become the first submariner to make it to the top of the world's highest mountain. Preparations for the expedition, which was flagged off by Defence Minister George Fernandes March 8, were made over the past two years. The Indian Navy's adventure cell was responsible for the selection of the team after rigorous rounds of physical and mental fitness checks. The team also undertook successful expeditions to Mt Suithilla, Mt Saser Kangri, Mt Kamet and Mt Abhi Gamin. Speaking on the occasion, the Indian Navy chief, Admiral Madhvendra Singh, said: "The spirit of adventure has always been predominant among seafarers and it is this spirit that has taken the Indian Navy mountaineers, who include seven submariners, from the deep blue seas to the top of the world." Surgeon Lieutenant Bhanoo remarked: "It was an extremely exhilarating moment to set foot at the summit of the highest piece of land on earth. Despite the freezing temperatures, our hearts have been filled with the warm glow of satisfaction of achieving our objectives."
Source: IANS