Historic Ascent: Unfurling the Indian Flag on Kilimanjaro

Ahead of India's 78th Independence Day, a Ministry of Defence expedition team unfurled a 7,800 sq ft Indian flag atop Kilimanjaro. The event aims to inspire future generations, including 'divyangjan' and underprivileged youth, showing the importance of perseverance and support in achieving dreams.

In a landmark achievement just days before India's 78th Independence Day, an expedition team organized by the Ministry of Defence successfully unfurled a 7,800 square-foot Indian national flag atop Uhuru Summit, Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa.

The Ministry of Defence issued a statement on Saturday elaborating the broader aim of this expedition, which is to inspire future generations of 'divyangjan' (specially-abled individuals) and underprivileged youth, showcasing that no dream is too daunting to pursue.

Leading the expedition team was Group Captain Jai Kishan, along with members including Uday Kumar. The expedition, dubbed Mission Kanchanjanga National Park to Mt Kilimanjaro (Mission K2K), marked a historic milestone as it saw the first successful ascent by an amputee climber using crutches.

Starting from the base camp and reaching Kibu Hut at 15,500 feet on August 7, the team proudly displayed the national flag, rigging it with ropes, ground nets, and anchors. On August 8, at 0300 hours, the final ascent to Uhuru Peak began amidst challenging weather and terrain conditions. At 1300 hours, after a grueling 10-hour climb through loose scree and steep gradients, the team reached the summit at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) and unfurled the flag.

The historic climb symbolizes the power of perseverance and the impact of support, serving as a beacon of hope for all.

(With inputs from agencies.)