By Amika 

Pune: A team of climbers from the Giripremi Mountaineering Club in Pune is embarking on an expedition to scale the 6,310-meter-high Mount Meru in the Gangotri region of Uttarakhand. 

The expedition, led by veteran climber Umesh Zirpe, includes climbers Vivek Shivade, Ganesh More, Dr. Sumit Mandale, Mingma Sherpa, Varun Bhagwat, Nikunj Shah, and Ronak Singh, who left for the challenging ascent today.

The flag-off ceremony for this formidable team was held on the evening of Saturday, 

August 10, 2024, at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, stated a press release.

The event was graced by the presence of renowned industrialist and Chairman of Haware Group, Dr. Suresh Haware, along with Lt. Gen. Rajendra Nimbhorkar, a valiant officer of the Indian Army who played a significant role in the Kargil War. They presented the team with the tricolor flag of India, a symbol of their nation’s pride and hope.

In his address, Dr. Suresh Haware emphasized the transformative nature of mountaineering, stating, "Climbing is an adventure sport that molds individuals into their best selves. The physical exhaustion encountered during a climb is profound, but it is the unwavering resolve of the mind that drives one forward. It is only upon reaching the summit that the true power of the mind is realized, a force that continues to inspire us to conquer the Everests in our own lives." Dr. Haware extended his best wishes to the Meru expedition team and underscored the significance of their endeavor.

Lt. Gen. Rajendra Nimbhorkar shared thrilling anecdotes from his 40-year military career and lauded the Meru team for their dedication to promoting the adventurous spirit of mountaineering. He expressed immense pride in the efforts of the Giripremi Club's team, undertaking such a demanding expedition, and wished them success in their journey ahead. Additionally, Mr. Rahul Narute, Managing Director of Asian Machine Tool Corporation Pvt. Ltd., also conveyed his best wishes to the expedition team.

The program was moderated by Mr. Abhay Khedkar. The event was attended by Mrs. Usha Prabha Page, Founder President of Giripremi Club; Mr. Anand Palande, Founder Member; Mr. Jayant Tulpule, President of the organization; Mr. Chandan Chavan, Director of GGIM; Everest Summiteer Mr. Bhushan Harshe; and several other esteemed mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts.