SIKKIM: Educated unemployed youths join in adventure training


BY PRAKASH CHETTRI

Namchi: Third Adventure Course for the educated unemployed youths of the state was began Friday, March 26, at Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism (IHCAE), Chamchey, South Sikkim. In this 14 days course, organized by IHCAE, Chamchey, under the sponsorship of Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi, total 30 youths from different parts of the state are participating including 9 girls.

The inaugural session of this adventure course was held at Chamchey IHCAE in which Principal of Namchi government College, Dr. MP Thapa, was chief guest. The programme was attended by the Director IHCAE, GT Bhutia, and OSD Adventure, Chamchey IHCAE, Kazi Sherpa.

Addressing the participants the chief guest Dr. Thapa drew a comparison between the courses in schools and the short term adventure. He said students should be filled with stamina and will power to complete the training successfully. Stating that adventure is an interesting field, he said that number of people in different parts of the world spend heavy amount of money for adventure courses but the trainees in Sikkim are lucky that they were getting this training in free of cost.

Mr. Sherpa informed that in 14 days’ course the participants will be trained in various aspects of adventure in an eco friendly manner. The training will consist of trekking, obstacles, survival techniques and rock climbing, he said. On the inaugural day trainees were taught practical skills of rock climbing and rappelling by instructors namely, Miss. Sangey Doma Bhutia of Yuksom, West Sikkim, Ongdi Lama and Mohan Biswakarma of Gangtok, East Sikkim, under the supervision of Mr. Bhutia and Mr. Sherpa. The girl trainees showed their courage in successful rock climbing and rappelling.

[SOURCE: SIKKIM REPORTER/EDITED BY ASHOK CHATTERJEE]