It was a matter of life and death

Ok guys here I go....this is definitely a sporting moment ...but not to win or lose but it is a matter of life or death. This moment is about a fighting spirit. We were a total of 11 in number, moving on the mountain at a height of 23000ft. At this height the oxygen is 50% less. We were caught in a snow blizzard. Being the team leader, I had to motivate them. Believe me, at this height everybody is for himself, but this is the difference Indian Army training makes in you. As an officer and the team leader your own ease and comfort comes last. I kept motivating boys to keep moving so that they don’t freeze. My own fingers were feeling numb because I was standing still but pushing others towards the summit.

Finally we summited the 23857 ft high mount MANA, Garhwal Himalyas. After 13 hours of braving the snow blizzard and extreme cold climatic condition, we came down to our tents pitched at 22000f. After two days, most of my team mates were in hospital for frostbite. I ensured that everybody comes down safely. I lost one finger (amputation) but the happy part was my team was safe.

This was a moment of self realization, when I sit back and think of the incident I don’t repent my decision of taking care of boys and not myself. These boys respect me and always pray for me. Though I lost my one finger, but I am shape1 and with their prayers doing well in mountaineering. After this incident I did three more mountains and two more to follow. I believe that MOUNTAINEERING IS MORE OF AN ATTITUDE RATHER THAN ALTITUDE.

THANK YOU INDIAN SPORTS NEWS FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPURTUNITY TO WRITE FEW WORDS WHICH I NEVER WROTE BEFORE.

RANVEER SINGH JAMWAL
MAJOR
INDIAN ARMY