Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal atop Mt Kanchenjunga (PC: Defence PRO Guwahati)
New Delhi: The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) has successfully concluded its ambitious “Har Shikhar Tiranga” campaign with the conquest of Mount Kanchenjunga on May 18, achieving a perfect summit success rate in challenging conditions.
With five highly skilled climbers and three support staff, NIMAS Director Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal himself led the expedition and reached the summit of the 8,586-metre peak – the world’s third-highest mountain and India's tallest – marking the final milestone in the patriotic mission to plant the Indian national flag (Tiranga) atop the highest peak in each of India’s 28 states.
The NIMAS expedition distinguished itself as the only team this season to achieve complete summit success on Kanchenjunga, with every climber who attempted the ascent reaching the top – a remarkable feat on one of mountaineering's most formidable challenges.
The Har Shikhar Tiranga campaign, conceived to celebrate national unity through adventure, has now reached its symbolic conclusion with Kangchenjunga representing Sikkim, the final state in the mission.
“This expedition transcended mere mountaineering – it became a tribute to every corner of our nation,” Col Jamwal said.
“From the northeastern forests to Kanchenjunga’s icy ramparts, our tricolour has now graced every state’s highest point. I am immensely proud of the team and honoured to have led this mission embodying our nation's unity and diversity.”
The successful completion of this mission reinforces NIMAS’s reputation for excellence in adventure training and national service.
Operating under the Ministry of Defence, the institute has demonstrated exceptional leadership in high-altitude mountaineering whilst fostering patriotic sentiment through sporting achievement.
The conquest comes during a particularly challenging climbing season on Kanchenjunga, where extreme weather conditions and technical difficulties have tested even experienced mountaineers. The NIMAS team’s flawless performance in the remarkable feat stands as testament to rigorous preparation and unwavering determination.
As the Indian flag unfurled from Kanchenjunga’s summit, it symbolised not merely individual triumph but the aspirations of the entire nation, completing a remarkable chapter in Indian mountaineering history.
Mount Kanchenjunga is known for its treacherous terrain, unpredictable weather, deep crevasses and extreme altitude. Unlike other peaks over 8,000 metres, it demands a long and technically challenging summit push, testing even the most experienced climbers.
In 2023, the team scaled 27 mountain peaks across India, a feat unmatched in Indian mountaineering history.
Then, in 2024, the team successfully climbed a virgin peak in Arunachal Pradesh’s Gorichen, showcasing their ability to tackle unexplored terrain.
Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal has been honoured with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, India’s highest honour for adventure sports. It is worth noting that he has climbed the world’s tallest mountain peak, Mount Everest, not once or twice but thrice.
