Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for the year 2010 to recognize the achievements of persons in the fields of Adventure.

The following four persons have been selected for the Adventure Awards for the year 2010:-

1. Ms. Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu - Land Adventure

2 Ms. Mamta Sodha - Land Adventure

3 Shri Dilip Donde - Water Adventure

4 Late Col. Balwant Singh Sandhu - Life Time Achievement (Posthumously)

Ms. Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu has became the first Indian woment to ski 900 Kms. From coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. She did some High Altitude trekking in the Pindari Valley, Milam Valley and Ralam Valley while working as an instructor. Besides this, she has been climbing extensively from 1996.

Ms. Mamta Sodha has scaled Mount Everst in 2010, she has scaled island Peak, 20589 fts., Shri Kanth Peak 20422 fts, Mun Peak 16000 fts, Phawara Rang Peak 21441 fts. She has also climbed Mount Everest- Eco Expedition- 29038 fts, Nepal.

Commander Dilip Donde has sailed Solo on INSV Mhadei undertaking Solo Circumnavigation of the earth round the “Three Great Capes” in 273 days which is a significant and rare achievement. He is the first Indian to circumnavigate the earth solo and under sails and 175^th person in the world to achieve this feat.

Late Col Balwant Singh Sandhu possessed excellent record. A life time devoted to mountaineering, a highly ethical conduct and great leadership qualities. He had actively encouraged young people to the outdoor adventure. He was instrumental in introduction of IMF Annual Alpine Style climbing Camps and continued to oversee there till the last. He had climbed and trekked for over 50 years in most ranges of the Himalayas made the most number of first ascents of difficult peaks including first ascent of Changabang (6870m) in Garhwal Himalaya in 1974, first ascent to Phawara Rang (6570) in Spiti, HP in 1977.

The Awards will be presented to the above individuals except late Col. Balwant Singh Sandhu by Her Excellency the President of India during the Awards ceremony to be held on August 29, 2011. Award is being given to late Col. Sandhu, posthumously and will be receive by his wife Ms. Helga Sandhu.