Sikkim’s Shanti Rai Honored with IMF Gold Medal for Mountaineering Excellence

This coveted honor, presented by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), recognizes her outstanding achievements in mountaineering.

Shanti Rai, a renowned mountaineering instructor at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism in Chemchey, Namchi district, Sikkim, has been awarded the prestigious IMF Gold Medal. This coveted honor, presented by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), recognizes her outstanding achievements in mountaineering and her pivotal role in advancing adventure sports in the Himalayan region.

The IMF Gold Medal, instituted in 1961, is one of India’s highest honors in the field of mountaineering. It has been previously awarded to legendary mountaineers like Tenzing Norgay, Sonam Gyatso, and Dorjee Lhatoo, whose pioneering feats have inspired generations of climbers.

Shanti Rai’s illustrious career is marked by several remarkable achievements. She scaled the formidable Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) in January 2021, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination. In 2022, she joined a nine-member expedition team that successfully conquered the 7,077-meter-high Kun Peak in Kargil.

This expedition, organized by the Chhattisgarh Government in collaboration with the IMF, aimed to promote women’s empowerment. At the summit, Rai and her team proudly unfurled the Indian tricolor, making the nation proud.

As an instructor, Rai has been instrumental in encouraging women’s participation in adventure sports, inspiring countless individuals to embrace the challenges of mountaineering. In recognition of her contributions, she was elected as a lifetime member of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation during its 58th Annual General Meeting in 2022, securing the highest number of votes. Notably, she is the first individual from Sikkim to receive this distinction.

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, established in 1957, is the apex body for promoting mountaineering and adventure sports in India. It organizes expeditions, ensures safety standards, and nurtures the development of mountaineering skills across the country.

Also Read: North Sikkim: Teacher Found Murdered, Body Buried in His Own Courtyard

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