Patil flaggs in SSB mountaineers

New Delhi, June 17 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today flagged in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) mountaineers who successfully scaled Mount Jogin -I (22, 210 ft) on June 6 and Mt Jogin-III (20,065 ft) on June 7.

Speaking at a function got up at the SSB Force Headquarters here, Mr Patil extolled the significant endeavours of the SSB in promoting adventure sports and educating people to address important issues related to ecology, pollution and global warming.

''Through a Boating Expedition from Patna to Kolkata, down the Ganges, the Force impressed upon and educated the people about the importance of maintaining the purtity of the mighty river. Through the mountaineering expedition to Mt Jogin, SSB has set an example before the people and the society by repairing the ecological damage caused by mankind,'' he said.

A 25-member team led by Mr G C Sah, Senior Instructor, Academy Gwaldam, was flagged off by Mr Patil on May 25 this year at New Delhi.

The expeditionists approached Bhoj Kharak at 12,500 ft from Gangotri and reached the summit of Mt Jogin I and III after halting at Kedar Kharak at 14,700 ft.

They established Base camp at the picturesque Kedartal lake located at 16, 320 ft. From there they moved on to camp-1 at 18, 500 ft and then to camp-II at 19,800 ft to take on the summits.

The SSB mountaineers have so far hoisted the National tricolour and force flag on 252 mountains.

UNI