22 Abode of Gods
In all these expeditions, Indian mountaineers like Tenzing,
Norkay, Gurdayal Singh and Nandu Jayal had started playing
significant role.
Advent of Indian mountaineering
While foreign expeditions continued to probe the secrets-
and mysteries of high Himalayas, few daring Indians kept
on pursuing their desired ambitions through dedicated endeavo-
urs. Amongst such early enthusiasts were Gurdayal Singh,
Tenzing and Nandu Jayal. In fact mountaineering had come
to be recognised as an established and adventurous sport.
Keeping in view the interest by the Indian youths, the Govern-
ment of India opened a mountaineering institute at Darjeeliog.
in 1954 at the instance of the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lai
Nehru who had great love for the mountains. He became its
founder President, Dr. B. C. Roy, the then chief minister of
West Bengal, Vice President and H. C, Sarin, its Secretary. In
order to systematise, organise and streamline mountaineering
as a sport, Indian Mountaineering Foundation was established
which has done yeomen service to the cause of mountaineering
eversince its birth in following manner :
(i) Aid, guide and advice the mountaineering clubs,
ii) .Render technical advice to mountaineering expedition.
iji) Provide financial assistance to Indian expeditions.
iv) Issue on loan or hire at reasonable rates mountaineer-
ing stores to Indian expeditions through
(a) Juyal Memorial Stores^ Darjeeling.
(b) Dias Memorial Stores, Uttarkashi.
(c) Bahuguna Memorial Stores, Nainital
The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has done remarks
able service to the cause of mountaineering, eversiricc Its incep-
tion by liberally sanctioning grants to mountaineering expedi*
tlon and giving- training fees to young boys and girls who can-
not afford it It has also organised training camps for selected
mountaineers and has sponsored both Indian and the first ever
expedition with foreign mountaineers to difficult and unsealed
peaks. The most prestigious expedition organised in 1959 by
the Indian Mountaineering Foundation was under the leader-