H. P. S. Ahluwalia

H. P. S Ahluwalia
Born	(1936-11-06) 6 November 1936 Sialkot, Punjab, India
Alma mater	St. George's College, Mussoorie, India
Years active	1995
Board member of	chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
Spouse	Mrs. Bholi Ahluwalia
Children	Daughter- Sugandh Ahluwalia
Parent(s)	Father- Mr. Sarjit Singh Mother- Mrs. Harbans Kaur
Awards	Padma Bhushan Padma Shri Arjuna Award

Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia is an Indian mountaineer. During his career of 45 years, he has made contributions in the fields of adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work.
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.
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. He has also produced an award-winning serial, Beyond Himalaya, which has been telecast all over the world on Discovery and National Geographic channels.

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.

Education

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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

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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

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.

Professional career

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.

Positions

• Chairman – 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.
• Former President – Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
• Former President – Delhi Mountaineering Association.
• Former chairman – Special Ability Trust (created to assist young achiever with disabilities with *fellowships and scholarships).
• Former chairman – Youth Exploring Society (with its chapter 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.
• Member – Patron, Spinal Cord Society, India.

Bibliography

• Higher than Everest

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Higher than Everest

• The Everest Within
• Eternal Himalaya
• Beyond the Himalayas
• Everest- Where the Snow never melts
• Hermit Kingdom Ladakh

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Hermit Kingdom Ladakh

• Ladakh Nubra The Forbidden Valley
• Tracing Marco Polo's Journey

Awards

National Awards

• Arjuna Award-1965

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• Padma Shri-1966
• Padma Bhushan-2002

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• Tenzing Norgay National Adventure award for lifetime Achievement-29 August 2009

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• National Award for the Welfare of People with Disabilities-3 December 1998

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• Order of the Khalsa (Nishan-e- Khalsa) Tercentenary of the Birth of Khalsa

International Awards

• 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 Argentinean 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
  

Special Moments

• Major HPS Ahluwalia with Former President of India- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Maj Ahluwalia with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

• Major HPS Ahluwalia with Former President of India- Shri Gyani Zail Singh.

Maj Ahluwalia with Gyani Zail Singh