Some brave and restless Naga students had a dream with one of their Professors, that dream was of climbing a mountain. With that dream was born “Tetso Mountaineering Club”! What is the story of these people? Let’s listen!
THE BRAVE SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH
Ever since we joined Tetso college, this institution has always been a unique place full of surprises. Tetso College has developed its own unparalleled character not only in Nagaland but the entire northeast. Since school days we developed a different idea of academic institution which shattered completely when we entered Tetso College where we experienced a perfect blend of Academics and extracurricular activities. We have Oratory, Book, Music, Dance, NSS/NCC, History, Sports and many more clubs. However, among all the clubs and activity centers three clubs have created their own special place among student community, faculty members and fans & friends of Tetso College, they are- Tetso Motorcycle Club, Tetso Mountaineering Club and Society For International Affairs. The role that Tetso Motorcycle Club played during Covid-19 pandemic has been appreciated in Nagaland and outside. Just a few days back Tetso Motorcycle Club came up with a fantastic concept they named “Project Discovery” under which they organized ride to various villages in Mokokchung District to study Ao culture and society. As told, this Project will continue till riders of Tetso Motorcycle Club cover all tribes and their villages in Nagaland in the coming time. On the other hand, Society for International Affairs is gradually rising as a strong bridge to connect Naga students and Faculty members with the international community. This club has the potential to create a strong “Think Tank” of “Policy Research Scholars of Tetso College in the field of International Relations, Diplomacy and International Law”.
However, Tetso Mountaineering Club, which is standing strong and tall like Mt. Everest has been continuously growing leaps and bounds. Like Tetso Motorcycle Club, Tetso Mountaineering Club is also a brainchild of our Professor Dr. Aniruddha Babar. When he approached us with a long and detailed presentation and vision about his idea to set up a club dedicated to Mountaineering and Mountain Exploration our joy had no bound. We immediately prepared a blueprint together, made a strong proposal which was subsequently accepted and appreciated by our ever encouraging College Management. As a result; our great club came into being and we became First President and Secretary General along with Vekhrope Koza as a Vice-President of the Tetso Mountaineering Club which have its own beautiful logo, independent Flag and a super encouraging motto- “The Brave Shall Inherit the Earth”. The Dzukou Valley Trekking (unconventional approach) and much appreciated Mt. Japfu Summit (mid-night summit assault) are some of the expeditions successfully organized by Tetso Mountaineering Club under the field command of our founder.
Our club has a vision to create Mountaineers among students of Tetso College. There is no Naga name so far in Indian Mountaineering Circle so TMC is planning to be the fertile ground for potential Mountain Climbers. We have a great vision to build climbers in the next coming decade who would be capable of climbing mountains like Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. Whether ‘tall’ vision of TMC can be materialized into reality or not we do not know, but what we know is that the “Naga Climbers” of Tetso Mountaineering Club are all set to climb “Peaks” initially at least in India ‘HOPEFULLY” with the support from our college management, friends, followers and supporters in Nagaland and other parts of India.
Mountaineering is a much neglected sport in our country. At present Mountaineering circles are dominated by European climbers. They have had legends like Reinhold Messner, Jerzy Kukuczka, Peter Habeler, George Mallory. We are gradually making up our mark in the field. We, however, too have our own list of legends like Major Harpal Singh Ahluwalia, Colonel N. Kumar, Colonel Avtar Singh Cheema, Colonel Ranveer Jamwal, Harish Kapadia (The Mountain Man of India), Indian Navy Captain Mohan Singh Kohli, Major Narendra Dhar Jayal. Santosh Yadav became the first woman to climb Mt. Everest twice on 10th May, 1993. Arunima Sinha on 21st May, 2013 became the first female amputee to scale Mt. Everest.
As you can see that the Indian Mountaineering circle has been dominated by Indian Army Mountaineers however, a large number of civilian climbers have also made their mark with equal strength and valour. However, the mountaineering training pattern which has been developed over the period of century has been of largely ‘Army Standard’ which we at Tetso Mountaineering Club strictly follow to train our Mountaineers.
As said before, there are many future plans as well in the pipeline. However, the biggest challenge that we face is the expensive nature of this sport. Mountaineering by nature is expensive. Most of the quality equipments are manufactured in European countries which we have to import (or buy from Import house). However, if taken good care of them, they can be long lasting too, but initial investment requires funds which of course at present Tetso Mountaineering Club lacks, so we are paying from our own pockets. Also, Climbing Expeditions have their own Economics which also Tetso Mountaineering Club is learning to negotiate with; with the help of some fundraiser activities and support from some “Old Dreamers” who believe in the cause we are standing for.
Our Founder of TMC, himself a Mountaineer and Explorer tells us the stories of great people like Sir Ernest Shackleton, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen from “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration” that witnessed heroic deaths, financial bankruptcy and also the grand victories of Explorers. Such stories help us to keep our morale high.
Many times people don’t understand the mind of Adventurers but how can we forget that the Man is a born Adventurer and Explorer? We are not born to stay in one place and rot. Humanity started its heroic journey from Africa some Seventy Five Thousand Years ago to populate the Earth. The courage of Man has won over Nature. Sooner or later we are going to explore mysteries of Deep Space as well. The Exploring nature of Man will not let humanity remain content.
The Heroic Age of the Sea Adventures and Polar Adventures proved the real character of Man. Sometimes as students we feel sad, because for us in 21st Century we believed there is nothing left to explore, nothing left to discover, nothing left to win, nothing left to claim, and we are cursed to just go to college-get job-marry-get old and Die but Sir Ani always tells us to go beyond the seen- in search of unseen- I think this is the purpose of Tetso Mountaineering Club- to go beyond what is ‘known’- to Explore- in search of unknown, unseen, untouched and learn & appreciate the mystery of the complex creation of our beloved GOD kneeling down before thy GLORY singing in praise of our LORD!
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Aienla A, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org