Wing Commander Vikrant Uniyal of the Indian Air Force, posted at Prayagraj, has scaled Mount Everest, and dedicated his feat to all the unsung heroes and movements which contributed to India’s freedom struggle. Wing Commander Vikrant Uniyal got commissioned into the 167 Course Of Indian Air force on 16 June 2001 and got promoted to Wing Commander on 16 Jun 2014.
Wing Commander Vikrant Uniyal, posted at Central Air Command, Prayagraj, scaled the summit on May 21, hoisted the Tricolour at the peak, and sang the National Anthem as he dedicated the achievement to the freedom fighters at a time when the nation is celebrating 75 years of its Independence as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. He has dedicated his feat as a tribute to all the unsung heroes and movements which contributed to the country’s freedom struggle.
The grueling expedition started from Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 15 this year with team members from across the globe.
The Everest expedition itself is an unparalleled journey of both legendary and epic proportions, and as an ode to the sacrifices made for the country, the IAF officer as a befitting honour to freedom fighters, recited the national anthem at the summit of Mt Everest, said Gp Capt Samir Gangkhedkar, public relations officer (defence), Prayagraj.
WATCH | Wing Commander Vikrant Uniyal of the Indian Air Force climbed Mt. Everest and sang the national anthem and hoisted the Indian flag on the summit of Mt. Everest on May 21
“The officer shared that the summit day with infinite steps was exciting and tiring. He was determined to hoist the national flag on the summit of Mt Everest on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotasav and share the proud feeling. Not only did he hoist the Indian flag on the Summit of Mt Everest on May 21, but he also felt extremely proud as being perhaps the only Indian to sing the national anthem on the summit of Mt Everest on this momentous occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” said Gp Capt Samir Gangkhedkar.
Wing Commander Vikrant Uniyal is a qualified mountaineer who is trained at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen, and National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Arunachal Pradesh.
The Everest expedition is an unparalleled journey of legendary and epic proportions and requires patience, stamina, mental fortitude, and strong will.
The mercury was between -10 degrees Centigrade to -20 degrees Centigrade in the daytime and dropped further at night. The team faced challenges of acclimatization besides the difficulty of the terrain.
Besides the deadly Khumbu icefall where the ice structure changes continuously, the death zone above 25,000 ft was the biggest challenge as the body could no longer acclimatize to the altitude and the lungs couldn’t get enough oxygen.
Camp IV on the South Col could be established only on May 20, 2022, due to extreme conditions.
Wing Commander Uniyal conquered the summit on May 21 and hoisted the Indian Flag on Mt. Everest’s peak besides singing the National Anthem.
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