An Indian Army team is embarking on a challenging journey to scale the highest mountain in the world to mark 50 years of the first ascent of the Mount Everest by India with an added mission to cleanse the region.
The Indian soldiers will not only climb the highest and the fourth highest mountain in the world - the Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse-- but also clean the Everest region by bringing down non-biodegradable waste.
The army mountaineers thus aim to give back to 'Sagarmatha' a measure of reverence she merits, and contribute to restoring the ecological balance of the route, conveying a message of the Prime Minister's vision of a clean environment to the entire world.
The team will leave for Kathmandu on April 4 and plan the ascent in mid-May.
Major RS Jamwal, an experienced mountaineer of international repute, is the expedition team leader.
Fifty years ago, an Indian team, led by Capt (then Lieutenant Commander) M S Kohli had conquered the coveted Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) for the first time.
Major A S Cheema, became the first Indian to the summit and proved that the Indian Army can triumph over the mightiest of obstacles.
