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{{Short description|Indian mountaineer (1936–2022)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2014}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = [[Major (rank)|Major]]
| name = H. P. S Ahluwalia
| name = H. P. S. Ahluwalia
| image=File:Maj._Haripal_Singh_Ahluwalia.jpg
| caption =
| image = Maj._Haripal_Singh_Ahluwalia.jpg
| other_names =
| caption =
| awards = [[Padma Bhushan]]<br>[[Padma Shri]]<br>[[Arjuna Award]]
| other_names =
| awards = [[Padma Bhushan]]<br>[[Padma Shri]]<br>[[Arjuna Award]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1936|11|06}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date |df=yes|1936|11|06}}
| birth_place = [[Sialkot]], Punjab, India
| birth_place = [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj]] (present-day [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2022|01|14|1936|11|06}}
|residence = [[South West Delhi]], New Delhi, India
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], India
|alma_mater = [[St. George's College, Mussoorie|St. George's College]], Mussoorie, India
| alma_mater = [[St. George's College, Mussoorie]]<br> [[College of Military Engineering, Pune]]
|years_active = 1995
| years_active = 1995–2022
|boards = chairman, [[Indian Spinal Injuries Centre]]
| boards = Ex Chairman, [[Indian Spinal Injuries Centre]]
|religion = [[Sikh]]
|spouse = Mrs. Bholi Ahluwalia
| spouse = Bholi Ahluwalia
|children = Daughter- Sugandh Ahluwalia
| children = One
|parents = Father- Mr. Sarjit Singh<br>Mother- Mrs. Harbans Kaur
| parents = Father- Mr. Sarjit Singh<br>Mother- Mrs. Harbans Kaur
| module = {{Infobox military person | embed=yes
|nickname=
|allegiance= {{flag|India}}
|branch= {{army|India}}
|serviceyears= 1958-1968
|rank=[[Major (rank)|Major]]
|servicenumber=IC-11112<ref name="commission"/>
|unit=
|commands=
|battles=[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
|awards=
|signature = }}
}}
}}


[[Major (rank)|Major]] '''Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia''' (6 November 1936 – 14 January 2022) was an Indian mountaineer, author, social worker and [[Indian Ordnance Factories Service]] ([[IOFS]]) officer.<ref name="Sikh Achievers">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qfuDnpVlmlcC&dq=H.+P.+S.+Ahluwalia+iofs&pg=PA75 | title=Sikh Achievers | year=2008 | isbn=9788170103653 }}</ref> During his career he made contributions in the fields of adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.everesthistory.com/climbers/ahluwalia.htm |title= H.P.S. Ahluwalia -|website=www.everesthistory.com}}</ref> He is one of six Indian men and the twenty first man in the world to climb [[Mount Everest]]. On 29 May 1965, 12 years to the day from the first ascent of [[Mount Everest]], he made the summit with the fourth and final successful attempt of the 1965 Indian Everest Expedition along with [[Harish Chandra Singh Rawat|H. C. S. Rawat]] and [[Phu Dorjee Sherpa]]. This was the first time three climbers stood on the summit together.
'''Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia''' is an Indian mountaineer. During his career of 45&nbsp;years, he has made contributions in the fields of adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work. <br />Following his advanced training at the [[Himalayan Mountaineering Institute]], [[Darjeeling]], he climbed extensively in Sikkim, Nepal and later he climbed [[Mount Everest]] on 29 May 1965. During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], he suffered a bullet injury which resulted in his confinement to a wheelchair. Presently, he is the Chairman of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.<br />He has written thirteen books which includes his autobiography ''Higher than Everest'', which ran into several editions and languages. ''Eternal Himalaya'', ''Ladakh-The Hermit Kingdom'', ''Climbing Everest'', ''Faces of Everest'', ''Himalaya'', ''Everest, where Snow Never Melts'', ''Nubra-A Forbidden Valley'' and the book titled ''Tracing Marco Polo's Journey of the Silk Route'' was recently released.{{when|date=September 2014}} He has also produced an award-winning serial, ''Beyond Himalaya'', which has been telecast all over the world on Discovery and National Geographic channels.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

Following his advanced training at the [[Himalayan Mountaineering Institute]], [[Darjeeling]], he climbed extensively in [[Sikkim]], Nepal. The 1965 Indian Army expedition was the first successful [[Indian Everest Expedition 1965|Indian Expedition to Everest]] which put 9 mountaineers on top, a record which lasted 17 years, and was led by [[Mohan Singh Kohli|Captain M S Kohli]]. He along with [[Avtar Singh Cheema]], [[Nawang Gombu]] Sherpa, [[Sonam Gyatso (mountaineer)|Sonam Gyatso]], [[Sonam Wangyal]], [[Chandra Prakash Vohra]], [[Ang Kami]] Sherpa, [[Harish Chandra Singh Rawat]] and [[Phu Dorjee]] Sherpa summited the peak in 1965 and became the first Indians to successfully climb Mount Everest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.istampgallery.com/indian-mount-everest-expedition/|title=First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-|website=www.istampgallery.com|date=22 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/25939/did-you-know-that-50-years-ago-9-indians-held-a-record-for-climbing-mount-everest/|title=First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-|website=www.thebetterindia.com|date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjF7ZzEJPhg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/UjF7ZzEJPhg |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KHkwqaXLmooC|title= Nine Atop Everest-First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-|isbn= 9788173871115|last1= Kohli|first1= M. S.|date= December 2000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ZDIwIHEyFLl1y3lVvqtQ5J/The-first-Indians-on-Everest.html|title= The first Indians on Everest-First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-|website= www.livemint.com|date= 16 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.himalayanclub.org/hj/26/2/nine-atop-everest/|title= The first Indians on Everest-First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-|website= www.himalayanclub.org}}</ref> During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], he suffered a bullet injury to his spine which resulted in his confinement to a wheelchair. He was the Chairman of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. He has written thirteen books and has also produced an award-winning serial, ''Beyond Himalaya'', which has been telecast all over the world on Discovery and National Geographic channels.<ref name=":0" />


==Early life==
==Early life==
Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia was born on 6 November 1936 and brought up in [[Shimla]] along with his two sisters and two younger brothers. His father was employed as a Civil Engineer in the Central Public Works Department.
Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia was born on 6 November 1936 and brought up in [[Shimla]] along with his two sisters and two younger brothers. His father was employed as a Civil Engineer in the Indian [[Central Public Works Department]].


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Sir with pt J Nehru.jpg|thumb|right]] -->
===Education===
For his academic career he went to [[St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun]] and [[St. George's College, Mussoorie]]. There, he discovered his interest in photography and rock climbing. Along with graduation, his interest in rock-climbing increased. Some of the places where Ahluwalia did his rock climbing are [[Garhwal Himalaya|Garhwal]], [[Sikkim]], [[Nepal]], [[Ladakh]], and of course Mount Everest. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Mechanical engineering from the [[College of Military Engineering, Pune]] in 1964.<ref name="Sikh Achievers"/>
[[File:Sir with pt J Nehru.jpg|thumb|right]]
For his academic career he went to St. Joseph's Academy and [[St. George's College, Mussoorie]]. There, he discovered his interest in photography and rock climbing. Along with graduation, his interest in rock-climbing increased. Some of the places where Ahluwalia did his rock climbing are Garhwal, Sikkim, Nepal, Ladakh, and of course Mount Everest.


===Army===
==Military career==
[[File:Major Ahluwalia (C) in his Army Days.jpg|thumb|right]]
[[File:Major Ahluwalia in his Army Days.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Major Ahluwalia (center) in his Army days]]
After his graduation Ahluwalia joined the Indian Army as an officer, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Electrical-Mechanical Engineering branch on 14 December 1958.<ref name="commission">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=226 |date=12 September 1959 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He was promoted to lieutenant on 14 December 1960 and to captain on 14 December 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=20 |date=21 January 1961 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=146 |date=20 March 1965 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> Seeing action during the 1965 war with Pakistan, he was wounded by a bullet in his spine, which left him confined to a wheelchair. He received an early discharge from the Army on 8 January 1968,<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=295 |date=3 March 1973 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> with the honorary rank of major.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part II-Section 3 |page=5 |date=15 September 1997 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
After completing his graduation Ahluwalia joined the Indian Army as an officer. Along with time most of the people changed and so do their hobbies and interests. But Ahluwalia's love for mountaineering never went in tandem with his professional life.

==Mountaineering career==
Ahluwalia has also been the President of Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Delhi Mountaineering Association. He was also the Chairman of Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achievers with disabilities with fellowships and scholarships), Youth Exploring Society (with its chapter in Ireland, West Germany and Italy), Rehabilitation Council of India (a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Chairman of Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12-year plan and Chairman of the Committee of Drafting Country Report.


==Expeditions and adventures==
==Expeditions and adventures==
After treatment at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, he continued to pursue his love for adventure by organising pioneering events such as the first Ski Expedition to Mt. Trisul, the first Trans-Himalaya Motor Expedition (1983), and the Central Asia Cultural Expedition (1994) following the Silk & Marco Polo's Route through Uzbekistan, Kirghistan, Kazaghistan entering China in Asian City of Kashgar, Yarkhand and returned via Tibet and Khathmandu.
After treatment at [[Stoke Mandeville Hospital]] in England, he continued to pursue his love of adventure by organising pioneering events such as the first Ski Expedition to [[Mount Trisul]], the first Trans-Himalaya Motor Expedition (1983),{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} and the Central Asia Cultural Expedition (1994){{citation needed|date=November 2014}} following the Silk & [[Marco Polo]]'s Route through [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kazakhstan]], entering China in the Asian City of [[Kashgar]], Yarkhand and returned via Tibet and [[Kathmandu]].

Ahluwalia has also been the President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Delhi Mountaineering Association. He was also the Chairman of Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achievers with disabilities with fellowships and scholarships), Youth Exploring Society (with its chapters in Ireland, West Germany and Italy), Rehabilitation Council of India (a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Chairman of Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12-year plan and Chairman of the Committee of Drafting Country Report.


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
[[File:Isic hospital.jpg|thumb|left|Indian Spinal Injuries Centre]]
[[File:Isic hospital.jpg|thumb|left|Indian Spinal Injuries Centre]]


Realizing the needs of persons with [[spinal injury]], Ahluwalia, with the support of his friends, set up the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in [[Vasant Kunj]], New Delhi, India in 1993.
Realizing the needs of persons with [[spinal injuries]], Ahluwalia, with the support of his friends, set up the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in [[Vasant Kunj]], New Delhi, India in 1993. He also served as an [[IOFS]] officer. His experiences have appeared in school books such as in the [[National Council of Educational Research and Training|NCERT]] Class 8 [[English language|English]] [[textbook]]. He met many great achievers such as [[Indira Gandhi]], [[APJ Abdul Kalam]] et cetera.


==Positions==
==Positions==
*Chairman – Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.
*Chairman&nbsp;– Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.
*Chairman – Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12 five year plan and Chairman of the committee of drafting country report.
*Chairman&nbsp;– Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12-year plan and chairman of the committee of drafting country report.
*Former President – Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
*Former president&nbsp;– Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
*Former President – Delhi Mountaineering Association.
*Former president&nbsp;– Delhi Mountaineering Association.
*Former chairman – Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achiever with disabilities with *fellowships and scholarships).
*Former chairman&nbsp;– Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achievers with disabilities with *fellowships and scholarships).
*Former chairman – Youth Exploring Society (with its chapter in Ireland, West Germany and Italy).
*Former chairman&nbsp;– Youth Exploring Society (with its chapters in Ireland, West Germany and Italy).
*Former chairman – Rehabilitation Council of India (a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment).
*Former chairman&nbsp;– Rehabilitation Council of India (a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment).
*Member&nbsp;– Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
*Member&nbsp;– Planning Commission&nbsp;– Steering committee of the Social Welfare and other special groups.
*Member&nbsp;– National Consultation on National Policy for PwD.
*Member&nbsp;– CII Core Group on Disability.
*Member&nbsp;– National Finance and Revenue Committee constituted by Ministry of Finance.
*Member&nbsp;– CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation), in collaboration with AISPO-ITALY.
*Member&nbsp;– International Spinal Cord Society


==Personal life and death==
*Member – Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
Major '''Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia''' died in Delhi on 14 January 2022, at the age of 85.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Padma Shri recipient HPS Ahluwalia passes away at 85|work=[[Press Trust of India]]|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/13047031_Padma-Shri-recipient-HPS-Ahluwalia-passes-away-at-85.html}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Unnati|date=2022-01-15|title=Remembering Major H.P.S Ahluwalia — mountaineer, army man, social worker... a fighter forever|url=https://theprint.in/india/remembering-major-h-p-s-ahluwalia-mountaineer-army-man-social-worker-a-fighter-forever/804177/|access-date=2022-01-15|work=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Member – Planning Commission – Steering committee of the Social Welfare and other special groups.
*Member – National Consultation on National Policy for PwD.
*Member – CII Core Group on Disability.
*Member – National Finance and Revenue Committee constituted by Ministry of Finance.
*Member – CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation), in collaboration with AISPO-ITALY.
*Member – International Spinal Cord Society.
*Member – Patron, Spinal Cord Society, India.


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*''Higher than Everest''
*''Higher than Everest''
[[File:Higher_than_Everest_001.jpg|thumb|center|Higher than Everest]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Higher than Everest 001.jpg|thumb|center|Higher than Everest]] -->
*''The Everest Within''
*''The Summit Within''
*''Eternal Himalaya''
*''Eternal Himalaya''
*''Beyond the Himalayas''
*''Beyond the Himalayas''
*''Everest- Where the Snow never melts''
*''Everest- Where the Snow never melts''
*''Hermit Kingdom Ladakh''
*''Hermit Kingdom Ladakh''
[[File:Hermit_Kingdom_Ladakh_001.jpg|thumb|center|Hermit Kingdom Ladakh]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Hermit Kingdom Ladakh 001.jpg|thumb|center|Hermit Kingdom Ladakh]] -->
*''Ladakh Nubra The Forbidden Valley''
*''Ladakh Nubra The Forbidden Valley''
*''Tracing Marco Polo's Journey''
*'' Tracing Marco Polo's Journey''


==Awards==
==Awards==

===Medal bar===
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Padma Bhushan Ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[File:Padma Shri Ribbon.svg|105px]] [[File:Wound Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Samar Seva Star Ribbon.svg|100px]]
|[[File:IND Raksha Medal Ribbon.svg|100px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|100px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|[[Padma Bhushan]]
|[[Padma Shri]]
|[[Wound Medal (India)|Wound Medal]]
|-
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|Samar Seva Star
|Raksha Medal
|9 Years Long Service Medal
|-
|}


===National Awards===
===National Awards===
*[[Arjuna Award]]-1965<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/showfile.asp?link_temp_id=560|title= Arjuna Award for The first Indians on Everest on 1965-|website= www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in|access-date= 21 August 2019|archive-date= 8 August 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190808121806/http://www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/showfile.asp%3Flink_temp_id%3D560|url-status= dead}}</ref>
*[[Arjuna Award]]-1965
[[File:Arjun award.jpg|thumb|center]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Arjun award.jpg|thumb|center]] -->
*[[Padma Shri]]-1965<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Year=1965-1965&Award=Padma%20Shri&Field=Sports|title= Padma Shree for The first Indians on Everest on 1965-|website= www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in|access-date= 21 August 2019|archive-date= 21 October 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201021173851/http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Year=1965-1965&Award=Padma%20Shri&Field=Sports|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref>
*[[Padma Shri]]-1966
*[[Padma Bhushan]]-2002 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110413/bathinda.htm#4|title=Everest conqueror cautions against perils of professional climbing|date=April 13, 2011|publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Padma Bhushan]]-2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110413/bathinda.htm#4|title=Everest conqueror cautions against perils of professional climbing|date=13 April 2011|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Padma bhushan.jpg|thumb|center]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Padma bhushan.jpg|thumb|center]] -->
*Tenzing Norgay National Adventure award for lifetime Achievement-29 August 2009
*[[Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award]] for lifetime achievement-29 August 2009
[[File:Life time award.jpg|thumb|center]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Life time award.jpg|thumb|center]] -->
*National Award for the Welfare of People with Disabilities-3 December 1998
*National Award for the Welfare of People with Disabilities-3 December 1998
[[File:National disabilities.jpg|thumb|center]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:National disabilities.jpg|thumb|center]] -->
*Order of the Khalsa (Nishan-e- Khalsa) Tercentenary of the Birth of Khalsa
*Order of the Khalsa (Nishan-e- Khalsa) Tercentenary of the Birth of Khalsa


===International Awards===
===International Awards===
*FRGS – [[Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society]] (United Kingdom)
*FRGS&nbsp;– [[Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society]] (United Kingdom)
*Fellowship conferred for significant contribution to studies and literature written on Environment and Adventure
*Fellowship conferred for significant contribution to studies and literature written on Environment and Adventure
*CONDOR-DE-ORO – A high Argentinean honour given for overall contribution to adventure writing / participation in Adventure Sports.
*CONDOR-DE-ORO&nbsp;– A high Argentinian honour given for overall contribution to adventure writing / participation in Adventure Sports.
*Advisor/Consultant to the Argentina Everest Expedition
*Advisor/Consultant to the Argentina Everest Expedition
*World Health Initiative for Peace Award, 29 July 2013</br>
*World Health Initiative for Peace Award, 29 July 2013

===Special Moments===
==Gallery==
*Major HPS Ahluwalia with Former President of [[India]]- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
[[File:Maj_Ahluwalia_with_Dr_Abdul_Kalam_copy.jpg|thumb|center|Maj Ahluwalia with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam]]
*Major HPS Ahluwalia with Former President of [[India]]- Shri Gyani [[Zail Singh]].
File:Maj Ahluwalia with Dr Abdul Kalam copy.jpg|Ahluwalia with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

[[File:Zail_singh1.jpg|thumb|center|Maj Ahluwalia with Gyani Zail Singh]]
File:Zail singh1.jpg|Ahluwalia with [[Zail Singh]]

<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Major Ahluwalia with Smt Indira Gandhi.jpg|Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - [[Indira Gandhi]]. -->

File:With Rajiv Gandhi and H C Sareen inaugurating ISIC.jpg|Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - [[Rajiv Gandhi]]

File:Major Ahluwalia with Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai 001.jpg|Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]

File:With PM Manmohan Singh.jpg|Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - [[Manmohan Singh]].

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of 1965 Everest Expedition on the golden jubilee of the occasion, in New Delhi on May 20, 2015.jpg|Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of Indian Everest Expedition 1965 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of this on 20 May 2015
File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of 1965 Everest Expedition on the golden jubilee of the occasion, in New Delhi on May 20, 2015 (2).jpg|Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of Indian Everest Expedition 1965 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of this on 20 May 2015
File:Everest Expedition 1965 stamp of India.jpg|1965 Indian stamp dedicated to the 1965 Everest Expedition
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Indian summiters of Mount Everest - Year wise]]
*[[List of Mount Everest summiters by number of times to the summit]]
*[[List of Mount Everest records of India]]
*[[List of Mount Everest records]]

==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Sports}}
{{Persondata
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}
| NAME = Ahluwalia, H. P. S.
{{Indian mountaineers}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
{{Authority control}}
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Indian mountaineer

| DATE OF BIRTH = 6 November 1936
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Sialkot]], Punjab, India
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahluwalia, H. P. S.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahluwalia, H. P. S.}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Ordnance Factories Service officers]]
[[Category:Indian summiters of Mount Everest]]
[[Category:Indian mountain climbers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in sports]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in social work]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Mountain climbers from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Social workers from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]
[[Category:People from Sialkot]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award]]
[[Category:People from Punjab Province (British India)]]

Latest revision as of 12:22, 26 November 2024

Major
H. P. S. Ahluwalia
Born(1936-11-06)6 November 1936
Sialkot, Punjab Province, British Raj (present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Died14 January 2022(2022-01-14) (aged 85)
New Delhi, India
Alma materSt. George's College, Mussoorie
College of Military Engineering, Pune
Years active1995–2022
Board member ofEx Chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
SpouseBholi Ahluwalia
ChildrenOne
Parent(s)Father- Mr. Sarjit Singh
Mother- Mrs. Harbans Kaur
AwardsPadma Bhushan
Padma Shri
Arjuna Award
Military career
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Army
Years of service1958-1968
RankMajor
Service numberIC-11112[1]
Battles / warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965

Major Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia (6 November 1936 – 14 January 2022) was an Indian mountaineer, author, social worker and Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) officer.[2] During his career he made contributions in the fields of adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work.[3] He is one of six Indian men and the twenty first man in the world to climb Mount Everest. On 29 May 1965, 12 years to the day from the first ascent of Mount Everest, he made the summit with the fourth and final successful attempt of the 1965 Indian Everest Expedition along with H. C. S. Rawat and Phu Dorjee Sherpa. This was the first time three climbers stood on the summit together.

Following his advanced training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, he climbed extensively in Sikkim, Nepal. The 1965 Indian Army expedition was the first successful Indian Expedition to Everest which put 9 mountaineers on top, a record which lasted 17 years, and was led by Captain M S Kohli. He along with Avtar Singh Cheema, Nawang Gombu Sherpa, Sonam Gyatso, Sonam Wangyal, Chandra Prakash Vohra, Ang Kami Sherpa, Harish Chandra Singh Rawat and Phu Dorjee Sherpa summited the peak in 1965 and became the first Indians to successfully climb Mount Everest.[4][5][6][7][8][9] During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, he suffered a bullet injury to his spine which resulted in his confinement to a wheelchair. He was the Chairman of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. He has written thirteen books and has also produced an award-winning serial, Beyond Himalaya, which has been telecast all over the world on Discovery and National Geographic channels.[10]

Early life

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Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia was born on 6 November 1936 and brought up in Shimla along with his two sisters and two younger brothers. His father was employed as a Civil Engineer in the Indian Central Public Works Department.

For his academic career he went to St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun and St. George's College, Mussoorie. There, he discovered his interest in photography and rock climbing. Along with graduation, his interest in rock-climbing increased. Some of the places where Ahluwalia did his rock climbing are Garhwal, Sikkim, Nepal, Ladakh, and of course Mount Everest. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Mechanical engineering from the College of Military Engineering, Pune in 1964.[2]

Military career

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Major Ahluwalia (center) in his Army days

After his graduation Ahluwalia joined the Indian Army as an officer, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Electrical-Mechanical Engineering branch on 14 December 1958.[1] He was promoted to lieutenant on 14 December 1960 and to captain on 14 December 1964.[11][12] Seeing action during the 1965 war with Pakistan, he was wounded by a bullet in his spine, which left him confined to a wheelchair. He received an early discharge from the Army on 8 January 1968,[13] with the honorary rank of major.[14]

Expeditions and adventures

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After treatment at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, he continued to pursue his love of adventure by organising pioneering events such as the first Ski Expedition to Mount Trisul, the first Trans-Himalaya Motor Expedition (1983),[citation needed] and the Central Asia Cultural Expedition (1994)[citation needed] following the Silk & Marco Polo's Route through Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, entering China in the Asian City of Kashgar, Yarkhand and returned via Tibet and Kathmandu.

Ahluwalia has also been the President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Delhi Mountaineering Association. He was also the Chairman of Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achievers with disabilities with fellowships and scholarships), Youth Exploring Society (with its chapters in Ireland, West Germany and Italy), Rehabilitation Council of India (a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Chairman of Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12-year plan and Chairman of the Committee of Drafting Country Report.

Professional career

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Indian Spinal Injuries Centre

Realizing the needs of persons with spinal injuries, Ahluwalia, with the support of his friends, set up the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India in 1993. He also served as an IOFS officer. His experiences have appeared in school books such as in the NCERT Class 8 English textbook. He met many great achievers such as Indira Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam et cetera.

Positions

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  • Chairman – Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.
  • Chairman – Planning Committee of Persons with Disability of 12-year plan and chairman of the committee of drafting country report.
  • Former president – Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
  • Former president – Delhi Mountaineering Association.
  • Former chairman – Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achievers with disabilities with *fellowships and scholarships).
  • Former chairman – Youth Exploring Society (with its chapters in Ireland, West Germany and Italy).
  • Former chairman – Rehabilitation Council of India (a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment).
  • Member – Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
  • Member – Planning Commission – Steering committee of the Social Welfare and other special groups.
  • Member – National Consultation on National Policy for PwD.
  • Member – CII Core Group on Disability.
  • Member – National Finance and Revenue Committee constituted by Ministry of Finance.
  • Member – CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation), in collaboration with AISPO-ITALY.
  • Member – International Spinal Cord Society

Personal life and death

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Major Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia died in Delhi on 14 January 2022, at the age of 85.[15][10]

Bibliography

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  • Higher than Everest
  • The Summit Within
  • Eternal Himalaya
  • Beyond the Himalayas
  • Everest- Where the Snow never melts
  • Hermit Kingdom Ladakh
  • Ladakh Nubra The Forbidden Valley
  • Tracing Marco Polo's Journey

Awards

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Medal bar

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Padma Bhushan Padma Shri Wound Medal
Samanya Seva Medal Samar Seva Star Raksha Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

National Awards

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International Awards

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  • FRGS – Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (United Kingdom)
  • Fellowship conferred for significant contribution to studies and literature written on Environment and Adventure
  • CONDOR-DE-ORO – A high Argentinian honour given for overall contribution to adventure writing / participation in Adventure Sports.
  • Advisor/Consultant to the Argentina Everest Expedition
  • World Health Initiative for Peace Award, 29 July 2013
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  • Ahluwalia with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
    Ahluwalia with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
  • Ahluwalia with Zail Singh
    Ahluwalia with Zail Singh
  • Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - Rajiv Gandhi
    Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - Rajiv Gandhi
  • Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - Atal Bihari Vajpayee
    Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - Atal Bihari Vajpayee
  • Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - Manmohan Singh.
    Ahluwalia with former Prime Minister of India - Manmohan Singh.
  • Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of Indian Everest Expedition 1965 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of this on 20 May 2015
    Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of Indian Everest Expedition 1965 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of this on 20 May 2015
  • Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of Indian Everest Expedition 1965 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of this on 20 May 2015
    Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meets the members of Indian Everest Expedition 1965 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of this on 20 May 2015
  • 1965 Indian stamp dedicated to the 1965 Everest Expedition
    1965 Indian stamp dedicated to the 1965 Everest Expedition

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 12 September 1959. p. 226.
  2. ^ a b Sikh Achievers. 2008. ISBN 9788170103653.
  3. ^ "H.P.S. Ahluwalia -". www.everesthistory.com.
  4. ^ "First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-". www.istampgallery.com. 22 January 2015.
  5. ^ "First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-". www.thebetterindia.com. 17 June 2015.
  6. ^ "First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021.
  7. ^ Kohli, M. S. (December 2000). Nine Atop Everest-First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-. ISBN 9788173871115.
  8. ^ "The first Indians on Everest-First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-". www.livemint.com. 16 May 2015.
  9. ^ "The first Indians on Everest-First successful Indian Expedition of 1965-". www.himalayanclub.org.
  10. ^ a b Sharma, Unnati (15 January 2022). "Remembering Major H.P.S Ahluwalia — mountaineer, army man, social worker... a fighter forever". ThePrint. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 21 January 1961. p. 20.
  12. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 20 March 1965. p. 146.
  13. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 March 1973. p. 295.
  14. ^ "Part II-Section 3". The Gazette of India. 15 September 1997. p. 5.
  15. ^ "Padma Shri recipient HPS Ahluwalia passes away at 85". Press Trust of India.
  16. ^ "Arjuna Award for The first Indians on Everest on 1965-". www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  17. ^ "Padma Shree for The first Indians on Everest on 1965-". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  18. ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  19. ^ "Everest conqueror cautions against perils of professional climbing". The Tribune. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
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