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The final stage witnessed a showdown among 18 participants, including one brave woman, who were divided into six three-member squads.
NEW DELHI: In a remarkable feat of endurance, the ‘Soul of Steel Himalayan Challenge’ came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday in Uttarakhand’s Ghamshali, nearly six months after its official launch by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in January. The event, a joint effort by the Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade and the esteemed Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW) Global group of Special Forces veterans, aimed to promote adventure sports tourism while addressing the region’s economic challenges and curbing migration. Now, the triumphant participants of this test of endurance will be facilitated on June 18th.
Out of the 1401 applicants, including 94 women, who initially expressed interest in this grueling test of physical and mental strength, only 23 individuals, including two women, successfully passed the rigorous two-stage screening process. These extraordinary individuals underwent an intensive ten-week training program conducted by experts from the Indian Armed Forces and CLAW Global, focusing on endurance, mountaineering, survival, and rescue skills.
The final stage witnessed a showdown among 18 participants, including one brave woman, who were divided into six three-member squads. Battling through the unforgiving terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas, scaling heights of up to 17,000 feet and covering a challenging 65-kilometer distance across glaciers, ice walls, rocky cliffs, and snow-capped peaks, these remarkable individuals showcased their advanced mountaineering abilities, survival instincts, navigation skills, and unwavering mental fortitude.
Emerging as the champions was Squad No. 4, composed of Vishal Banne, Ravi Thakur, and Navneet Pandey, while Squad No. 5, comprising Ankush Mandhotra, Himanshu Kumawat, and Tanmay Magarde, secured the well-deserved runners-up position. Vishal Banne’s exceptional technique earned him special recognition, while Manoj Rana displayed remarkable endurance throughout the challenge. Unfortunately, the sole female participant had to withdraw during the initial checkpoint, demonstrating the immense difficulty of the competition.
The closing ceremony, set to take place on June 18th in Ghamsali, promises to be a grand affair, with Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt leading the event. Distinguished guests, including officials from the Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF, and local school students, as well as villagers, will witness awe-inspiring demonstrations of rock climbing, mixed martial arts, Kalaripayattu, and captivating regional folk dances and songs performed by local talents.
Adding to the excitement, the ceremony will mark the official inauguration of the ‘Human Ability Biome.’ This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for advanced skill training courses in various adventure activities on land, air, and water, as well as life skills development, environmental conservation, forestry training programs, rehabilitation initiatives, and cutting-edge research focused on harnessing the potential of the human mind and body.
Parallel to this event, the Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade and Surya Command are actively promoting other engaging activities like astro-tourism, stargazing, bike expeditions, car expeditions, and cycling expeditions along the breathtaking NITI Valley. These initiatives aim to bolster tourism in the border areas, showcasing the natural wonders and unique experiences awaiting visitors in these captivating regions.
