Days before India's 78th Independence Day, a team under the Ministry of Defence has etched a new chapter in the annals of mountaineering by hoisting a colossal 7,800 sq ft Indian national flag atop Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
The expedition, organised by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), was spearheaded by Mount Kilimanjaro and included Uday Kumar, among others.
The mission, dubbed "Mission K2K," was not just another mountaineering endeavour. It was an inspiring journey aimed at motivating 'divyangjan' (differently-abled) and underprivileged youth, demonstrating that no dream is too lofty to achieve.
The team commenced their ascent from the base camp, navigating the challenging terrains to reach Kibu Hut, perched at 15,500 feet, on August 7.
Here, they meticulously unfurled the massive tricolour using ropes, ground nets, and anchors, ensuring its majestic presence was well-secured against the fierce winds.
The final push to the summit began at 3:00 am on August 8. Over the next 10 gruelling hours, the climbers battled loose scree, an intimidating 85-degree gradient, and the starkness of an alpine desert.
Their determination paid off as they reached Uhuru Peak, standing tall at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), at 1:00 pm.
There, atop the roof of Africa, they proudly displayed the Indian flag, a symbol of their unyielding spirit and love for the nation.
This expedition is particularly notable as it marks the first time an amputee climber, using crutches, has successfully summited Kilimanjaro.
The Ministry of Defence hailed the achievement as a beacon of hope, illustrating the heights that can be reached through perseverance and collective effort.
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