**Bhubaneswar:** It was a dream come true for Nibedita Barik, who is a part of 15-member team to scale the 5,819 metre high Mt Rudugaria in the Himalayan region in Uttarakhand.
“Hard labour is a must and staying physically fit is the mantra of this daredevil feat,” said Nibedita with an optimistic look.
Same was version echoed by another youth Somanath Khatua.
“We’re hopeful to make a mark in the mission,” Somnath exuded with confidence.
Aiming at instilling values of adventurism, discipline, team spirit and leadership among them and in a bid to conquer the Himalayan height, 15 brave Odia youths on Saturday left for 5,819 metre high Mt Rudugaria in Uttarakhand.
Organised by Department of Sports & Youth Services of Government of Odisha in association with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), the 15-member young mountaineers, comprising of 9 boys and 6 girls, are a part of the Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition-2016 that was flagged off by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The final expedition is planned from September 20 to October 5 to the 19,100 feet high Mt Rudugaria situated in the Gangotri glacier of Uttarakhand with technical support from TSAF.
The three tier selection-cum-preparatory camps were held earlier to finalise the expedition team.
While the first preparatory camp was held in and around Sandakphu in Darjeeling district of West Bengal during December 8-19 last year with technical support of Indian Mountaineering Foundation, East Zone, Kolkata, out of 125 applicants, 50 were screened for the first selection and ultimately 41 joined the camp. Out of the 41, 40 (14 girls and 26 boys) qualified for the second preparatory camp.
While the second preparatory camp was held at Panchlingeswar in Balaosre district here in January this year, 17 boys and 8 girls were selected for the third and pre-expedition selection camp.
The pre-expedition selection camp was organized in January this year in Uttarakhand and a merit list was drawn up basing on the performance of the participants coordinated by TSAF director, legendary woman mountaineer and first Indian lady to climb Mt Everest Bachendri Pal and then only the top 15 finalists were chosen.
“It’s a unique initiative by the Odisha Government and I’m grateful to it for reposing faith on TSAF. First time ever any state government has paid attention on expedition and encouraged the rural youths. We’ll leave no stone unturned to make this expedition safe and successful,” said Padma Sri awardee Bachendri Pal,
The final expedition will be headed and guided by Pal and also her colleague legendary mountaineer as well as first Indian lady to climb all the seven highest continental peaks Padma Sri awardee Premlata Agarwal.
“Challenges are amply ahead, but are overcome. We aren’t aware of our latent potentials. This adventure sport is such a sport that it brings out the hidden potentials of us. These youths can there realize that there is nothing called impossible,” said Agarwal.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Sudam Marandi said, “All the best to them! Besides the blessings and good wishes of the Chief Minister, all Odisha showers blessings on them”.
With the Olympics 2020 set to include sports climbing as a new discipline, the State Government is leaving no stone unturned to encourage the Odia youths to prepare for the challenge.