H. P. S. Ahluwalia

H. P. S Ahluwalia
Born (1936-11-06) 6 November 1936
Sialkot, Punjab, India
Residence South West Delhi, New Delhi, India
Alma mater St. George's College, Mussoorie, India
Years active 1995
Board member of Chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
Religion Sikh
Spouse(s) Bholi Ahluwalia
Children Daughter- Sugandh Ahluwalia
Parent(s) Father- Mr. Sarjit Singh
Mother- Mrs. Harbans Kaur
Awards Padma Bhushan
Padma Shri
Arjuna Award

Major H. P. S. Ahluwalia is an Indian mountaineer. During his career of 45 years, he has made contributions in the fields of adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work.
Following his advanced training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, he climbed extensively in Sikkim, Nepal and later he climbed Mount Everest on 29 May 1965. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, he suffered a bullet injury which resulted in his confinement to a wheelchair. Presently, he is the Chairman of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.
He has written thirteen books which includes his autobiography Higher than Everest, which ran into several editions and languages. Eternal Himalaya, Ladakh-The Hermit Kingdom, Climbing Everest, Faces of Everest, Himalaya, Everest, where Snow Never Melts, Nubra-A Forbidden Valley and the book titled Tracing Marco Polo's Journey of the Silk Route was recently released. He has also produced an award-winning serial, Beyond Himalaya, which has been telecast all over the world on Discovery and National Geographic channels. He is the first Indian to climb Mount Everest.[1][2] He also served as an IOFS officer.

Early life

Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia was born on 6 November 1936 and brought up in Shimla along with his two sisters and two younger brothers. His father was employed as a Civil Engineer in the Indian Central Public Works Department.

Education

For his academic career he went to St. Joseph's Academy and St. George's College, Mussoorie. There, he discovered his interest in photography and rock climbing. Along with graduation, his interest in rock-climbing increased. Some of the places where Ahluwalia did his rock climbing are Garhwal, Sikkim, Nepal, Ladakh, and of course Mount Everest.

Army

Major Ahluwalia (center) in his Army days

After his graduation Ahluwalia joined the Indian Army as an officer. Along with time most of the people changed and so do their hobbies and interests. But Ahluwalia's love for mountaineering never went in tandem with his professional life.

Mountaineering career

Ahluwalia has also been the President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Delhi Mountaineering Association. He was also the Chairman of Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achievers with disabilities with fellowships and scholarships), Youth Exploring Society (with its chapter in Ireland, West Germany and Italy), Rehabilitation Council of India (a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Chairman of Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12-year plan and Chairman of the Committee of Drafting Country Report.

Expeditions and adventures

After treatment at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, he continued to pursue his love for adventure by organising pioneering events such as the first Ski Expedition to Mount Trisul, the first Trans-Himalaya Motor Expedition (1983), and the Central Asia Cultural Expedition (1994) following the Silk & Marco Polo's Route through Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, entering China in the Asian City of Kashgar, Yarkhand and returned via Tibet and Kathmandu.

Professional career

Indian Spinal Injuries Centre

Realizing the needs of persons with spinal injury, Ahluwalia, with the support of his friends, set up the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India in 1993.

Positions

Bibliography

Awards

National Awards

International Awards

Special Moments

Ahluwalia with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Ahluwalia with Zail Singh

References

  1. ↑ http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/first-indian-group-to-scale-mt-everest-feted_1576035.html
  2. ↑ http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/may/31/youngest-everest-climber-meets-first-indian-who-scaled-the-peak.htm
  3. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Everest conqueror cautions against perils of professional climbing". The Tribune. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
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