Pune: Weeks after standing atop the world’s highest peak, four young Indian mountaineers returned to a thunderous standing ovation on Sunday as Pune-based mountaineering organisation Giripremi hosted a grand civic felicitation for its successful 2026 Mount Everest expedition.The packed auditorium at Modern College witnessed an emotional celebration of courage, endurance and perseverance as Everest summitters Akhil Katkar, Mihir Jadhav and Vivek Shivade, along with expedition member Nikunj Shah, were honoured for their feat achieved under the leadership of veteran mountaineer Umesh Zirpe.The event drew mountaineers, students, adventure enthusiasts and prominent personalities from across sectors, turning the felicitation into a celebration of youth ambition and India’s growing presence in adventure sports.Addressing the gathering, Zirpe said an Everest expedition is “never an individual achievement” but the result of years of preparation, discipline, sacrifice and teamwork.“The determination, perseverance and mental strength displayed by these young climbers are truly inspiring. Our mission extends beyond mountaineering. It is about shaping capable, responsible and sensitive young individuals,” he said.A specially curated audio-visual presentation transported the audience to the harsh landscapes of the Himalaya, capturing the team’s arduous preparations, the treacherous Khumbu Glacier, extreme weather conditions and the final push through the notorious “Death Zone” before reaching the summit of Everest.The climbers later shared first-hand accounts of battling thin air, freezing temperatures and physical exhaustion in the final stages of the ascent. They described the emotional moment of unfurling the Indian Tricolour atop the 8,849-metre peak, a dream years in the making.Acclaimed actor, writer and producer Girish Kulkarni, the chief guest at the event, said the achievement carried an important message for young Indians.“In an age of instant gratification, Everest reminds us that extraordinary success demands patience, consistency and long-term commitment. These young mountaineers have demonstrated that through action,” he said.Industrialist Suresh Haware described the summit as a matter of pride for Maharashtra and said organisations such as Giripremi have played a crucial role in nurturing confident and resilient youth.Drawing parallels between mountaineering and military life, A. K. Singh said success in extreme environments depends on discipline, leadership and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure.Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni praised Giripremi’s four-decade contribution to adventure sports, saying the young climbers had brought honour to both Maharashtra and the country.The ceremony also recognised achievements beyond Everest. Suraj Kurtadkar was felicitated for completing a prestigious gravel cycle race in the United States, while ski mountaineer Siddhartha Gadekar was honoured for winning a silver medal at an international championship in China.One of the loudest rounds of applause, however, was reserved for 69-year-old trekker Snehlata Mengse, who was recognised for completing several technically challenging Himalayan treks, proving that the spirit of adventure knows no age.Looking ahead, Giripremi announced an all-women expedition to Mt Mentok Kangri and a series of Himalayan programmes aimed at introducing more young people to mountaineering.The event, streamed live to viewers in India and abroad, concluded with the National Anthem, but not before leaving many in the audience with a powerful reminder: while only a handful of people stand on Everest’s summit, the journey to get there can inspire an entire generation.
