Book release of Col N Kumar (Retd) by the COAS
The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen JJ Singh released a book written by Col N Kumar (Retd), titled ‘KOH-HIMALAYA-KANCHENJUNGA (THE MOUNTAIN GOD)’, at an impressive ceremony at the Delhi Gymkhana Club today.
Col Narinder ‘Bull’ Kumar, the author of this book, has been an unparalleled mountaineer since 1958. He has successfully led expeditions to Everest, Nanda Devi, Sia Kangri, Saltoro Kangri, Teram Kangri II, Kamet and Kanchenjunga, despite losing his toes due to frostbite. He has also been Principal of HMI, Darjeeling and Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering Gulmarg. He also commanded the High Altitude Warfare School. The book is Col Narinder Kumar’s account, as the expedition leader, of the first ascent of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the World.
Speaking at the occasion the COAS said mountaineering inculcates in a man courage, camaraderie, the forbearance to take hardships headon and above all the uncanny ability to take tough decisions that may end lives. The Army, therefore, has always been at the forefront of encouraging mountaineering activities and is proud to have produced a fine breed of mountaineers. Mountaineering in Indian Army traces its roots to Lt WS Webb and Capt FC Raper, who went to map sources of the Ganges in 1807. Capt Godwin Austen assisted Capt Montgomery for surveys in Kashmir and Karakorams in 1857. The series continued right through, till the expedition led by Col Hunt succeeded in conquering Everest. This gave a tremendous fillip to the mountaineering fraternity.
HMI was started and Maj Jayal was selected the first Principal. The experiment of HMI succeeded and two more such institutes were established at Uttarkashi and Batote. Barring exceptions, these institutes have been commanded by serving officers of the Army. The COAS said that mountaineering pitches the skills of human endeavour against the vagaries of terrain, weather and seemingly insurmountable odds that mountains throw up at every step.
The COAS compared the book as an apt ode to the indefatigable will of the Indian Soldier and was hopeful that this account would also light the spark amongst many more youth to take up the challenges thrown by nature and mountains in particular. He further assured that Indian Army would continue its quest for conquering more and more peaks. At the end the COAS complimented the author for an apt testimony to Kanchenjunga.
SKS/VKJ/GSJ/RKJ
(Release ID :16985)