Indian Navy North Pole Team Creates Record
The Indian Navy team has done the unthinkable! The Indian team reached
the geographic North Pole at 2016 Hrs (local time) on the night of 9th
April 2008. Having created many a records in the past including the
successful ascent of Mt. Everest in 2004 and ski traverse to the
geographic South Pole in 2006, the team of ten officers and men of
Indian Navy set out for a historic ski traverse to The North Pole at
90° North. The team reached North Pole yesterday night, thereby doing
India and Navy proud. They became first ever Indian Team to have
successfully ski traversed to both the geographic poles. With this
extraordinary feat, three of the ten members would have also joined
the elite club to successfully complete the "Three Poles" Challenge.
The Three Poles Challenge includes successful traverse to the North
Pole, South Pole and ascent of Mt. Everest, considered to be the third
pole. By far, this is regarded as amongst the most daring feats in the
genre of adventure sports.
Commencing 02 April the team progressed to the desired goal facing
numerous challenges enroute. The ski traverse to the North Pole was
replete with hazards of high winds, freezing temperatures, polar
bears, water leads, pressure ridges and variable sea drift. Heavy
Odds not withstanding, the navy's mavericks have created history.
The spirit of selfless desire to achieve such a feat for the country
and the navy is in keeping with the highest traditions.
The team members exuded pride, exemplary motivation & great emotion
during the Phone-in ceremony. The team was congratulated by Vice
Admireal Sekhar Sinha, Controller of personnel service, who also
conveyed the felicitation message on behalf of Chief of the Naval
Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The team leader then interacted over the
phone with members of the media and described in details the
surroundings, details of the traverse and the elation felt on having
achieved the rare feat.
The team had earlier, left India on 24 th of Mar 08 and commenced the
first leg of their journey at Oslo, capital of Norway. From Oslo the
team flew to Longyearbyen and then onwards to the Arctic Ice Cap.
Interestingly, Longyearbyen has the northernmost airport in the world
and is the main township of the Svalbard group of islands. Greater
details would be available when the Heroes return back and share their
wonderful experiences.
*Records Attempted:
1. 1st Indian team to Ski Traverse to the Geographic North Pole
2. 1st Indians to complete the Three Pole Challenge
3. 1st Indian Everest Summiteers to the South and North Pole
4. First organization in the world to complete the Three Poles
The team was led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam. Lt Cdr Avinash Khajuria, Surg
Lt Cdr Ajay Sharma, MCERA Rajkumar, Petty Officer Medical Assitants
Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar, Brijendra Singh, SEA I PT II, LME
Ramendra Pandey, Manoj Vats and Sonam Tamchos are part of the
10-member expedition team. Commander Satyabrata notably has been the
leader of the previous two successful expeditions to Mount Everest and
South Pole also.
NKS/AK
(Release ID :37288)