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 Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute (HMI) Darjeeling
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI)
of Darjeeling is one of the oldest mountaineering institutes
of the country. The center played a pivotal role in training
mountaineers in India.
HISTORY: On 29th May 1953 Tenzing Norgey
and Edmund Hillary climbed the peak of Mount Everest for the
first time. After this successful expedition, there started
a new wave of interests in mountaineering. Indian Prime Minister
Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru took the initiative of establishing
this institute. With the help of local people the institute
became a reality on 4th November 1954. The Chief Minister of
West Bengal Mr. Bidhan Chandra Roy also played an important
role in its formation. The institute under the directorship
of Tenzing Norgey, was regarded as the central place for mountaineering
activities in the country. In its half a century of existence
HMI has been respect mountaineers and mountain lovers across
the world.
 ATTRACTIONS:
There is a mountaineering museum here that is the primary attraction
to visitors. Here one can see the equipments used in past climbs
as well as some latest equipments. The institutes has some historically
significant photographs in its collection including some great
mountaineering films which are shown on a regular basis to the
visitors.
ADMINISTRATION: Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute is an autonomous body not dependent on the government
entirely. In the administrative body the president of the institute
is the defense minister of India whereas the Chief minister
of West Bengal holds the post of Vice President. A number of
eminent mountaineers are there in the administrative council
including representatives of countries like Nepal and Bhutan. COURSES: The courses offered in HMI
are starts from the basics of mountaineering to advance techniques.
There is a adventure course for the young. The main courses
on mountaineering include Basic Mountaineering (26 days), Advanced
Mountaineering (28 days), Search and Rescue (20 days) and Method
of Instruction (21 days). |
