PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 9: Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, under the FIT India banner, flagged off a unique expedition titled FIT@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition’22 in New Delhi on Tuesday.
For the first time, women aged 50 years and above from across the country will participate in this odyssey.
The event celebrates India’s 75th Independence Day and is dedicated to the Central Government’s “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” initiative.
The expedition will commence on March 12 and is expected to end by the first week of August this year.
The expedition will be led by Padma Bhushan Bachendri Pal, the legendary mountaineer and the first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest.
The expedition flag-off was done by Sujata Chaturvedi, secretary, department of sports, Union ministry of youth affairs and sports.
Chanakya Chaudhary, chairman, TSAF and VP (Corporate Services), Tata Steel; and Bachendri Pal, expedition leader and mentor TSAF were also present.
The 14-member team, including the support crew, comprises retired professionals, mothers, grandmothers, and homemakers from across India. The team also includes three women Everest summiteers.
The five-month-long expedition involves traversing the Himalayas from East to West – from Arunachal to Ladakh- covering over 4,977 Kms and crossing 37 mountain passes.
The team will commence their journey of ultimate human endurance at Arunachal Pradesh and pass through Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, Nepal, Kumaon, Garhwal, Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, Leh, and Ladakh, before concluding at Tiger Hill in Kargil at an altitude of 16,608 feet.
Chanakya Chaudhary said: “We are delighted to organise this one-of-a-kind expedition that aims to spread awareness on issues related to women’s health and fitness. The expedition, being led by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), promises to be an ultimate showcase of human endurance and the indomitable spirit of our participants. The Foundation, through its unique proposition and sustained endeavours, will continue to promote adventure sports in the country and inspire generations.”
“I congratulate TSAF for conceptualising and enabling such a platform. I extend my best wishes to all the team members for a successful expedition,” he added.
A dedicated website for the expedition was launched by Chanakya Chaudhary and Bachendri Pal.
The website will provide expedition details and people can track the progress of the journey via an interactive map. https://www.
Bachendri Pal, leader of the expedition said: “I always believe that the biggest risk in life is not taking risks and this belief has given me the guts to take risks, lead many path-breaking expeditions, face numerous challenges and continue the journey. With the same belief, a team of 12 women will be undertaking a five-month-long Himalayan journey and the biggest challenge this time is the age factor.”
This expedition is very different, according to Pal. “The team members are aged 50 years and above, and the expedition’s duration coupled with multiple challenges like emotional, social, mental factors, fatigue, and weather constraints make it unique. We intend to set up an example for all women and raise hope that it is possible to stay fit and healthy in old age,” she added.
The expedition is also collaborating with the Indian Army for assistance all along the route across the Himalayas. The team’s journey is also being supported by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) and Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB).
