At Eighty and at Fifty

Joint celebrations of the Himalayan Club and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation anniversaries at Mumbai.

Six hundred, (yes, s i x hundred) persons gathered at Mulund, a suburb of Mumbai, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Himalayan Club and the Golden Jubilee of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, on 13th July 2008. It was a group consisting of active climbers, trekkers and environmentalist from all over the State of Maharashtra. You will have to look for grey-haired persons, so to say ! Moreover each had contributed handsomely to have the pleasure of participating and spend two days together with dinner and lunch. At the venue there was photography exhibition, mountaineering equipment display and sale and much bonhomie.

On the first day evening a question-answer session was held where many interesting questions about roles of the HC and IMF were raised. Col. H S Chauhan, Secretary of the IMF narrated what steps IMF is taking to help mountaineers. He is from the Maratha Regiment (which hails from this state) of the Indian Army, and with his slogan in Marathi (local language) brought the house to cheers. Divyesh Muni, former Secretary of HC talked about climbing high mountains, how to organise major expeditions in the Indian conditions. His own experiences as a leading mountaineer in India were brought to fore to illustrate how to climb high peaks. Later how to present expedition report and how to substantiate claims of ascent was the question put forward to Harish Kapadia, Hon. Editor of the Himalayan Journal. He explained the nuances of good reporting and proofs that can be brought from a summit. Col. N Kumar talked about his expedition to Kangchenjunga in 1977. But the most appreciation was reserved for Tanil Kilachand, vice President of the HC when he spoke of the spiritual significance of the Himalayan range and illustrated the subject with his own experiences. His advice, to approach the mountains with humility and as a spiritual experience was shared by many youngsters for such experiences area universal. Moreover though young, many in the audience had witnessed a wonderful sunset, adrenalin rush on a steep rock and the love of local communities. ‘How much we have to be grateful for, and how little we realise our blessings’, he said.

Next morning was the formal function where few local mountaineers were honoured, specially veteran Prof. M V Mali, aged 95, for service to mountaineering. This was in the series of Life Time Achievement awards given every year. This was followed by special films on history of the IMF and the Himalayan Club’s now celebrated film ’80 Years at the Top’. Lunch was an informal affair with the audience freely mixing with speakers and the discussions continued. A unique feature was Major H P S Ahluwalia, President of the IMF speaking to the audience through a speaker phone from Delhi.
Afternoon was devoted presentations by several local groups about their various ascents and work in the Himalaya and the Sahyadris, the local hills. It presented variety of activities from expeditions to high peaks to rock climbing in the local hills. It was heartening to note the care expressed for protection of the environment. As the evening drew to a close everyone was more aware of the activities of the Himalayan Club and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. This annual event organised by the Maharashtra Seva Sangh every July has become a part of calendar for mountaineering enthusiasts.

The fiftieth year represents Golden year. The 80th year in life of an organisation or person is the time when they have lived through 1000 full moons. This celebration was for a thousand golden moons !
Harish Kapadia