The Tetso College has always been a unique place full of surprises, developing its own unparalleled character, not only in Nagaland but the entire North-East. Since school days, we developed a different idea of an academic institution and this was shattered completely when we entered the college and 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 many, three clubs have created special place among the student community, faculty members and fans & friends, namely - Tetso Motorcycle Club, Tetso Mountaineering Club and Society for International Affairs (SIA). The role that motorcycle club played during the COVID-19 pandemic has been appreciated both in Nagaland and outside. Just a few days back the club came up with a concept called “Project Discovery” under which they organized rides to various villages in Mokokchung District to study Ao’s culture and society. It is learned that the project would continue till riders cover all tribes and their villages in Nagaland.
On the other hand, SIA is gradually rising as a bridge to connect Naga students and faculty members with the international community with the potential to create a strong “Think Tank” for policy research in the field of international relations, diplomacy and law.
Like the Motorcycle club, the Mountaineering Club (TMC) is a brainchild of Professor Dr Aniruddha Babar, who approached us with a detailed presentation and vision to set up a club dedicated to mountaineering and exploration. Excited with the vision, we immediately prepared a blueprint together and made a proposal to the college management, which was subsequently accepted. As a result, the TMC came into being with writers (Kithan and Longchar) as the President and Secretary General respectively and Vekhrope Koza as a Vice-President and with own logo, flag and motto - “The Brave Shall Inherit the Earth''. The Dzukou Valley Trekking and the Mt Japfu Summit are some of the expeditions successfully organized by the TMC so far.
The club has the vision to create mountaineers among students of Tetso College. As there is no Naga name so far in the Indian mountaineering circle, TMC is planning to be the grooming ground for potential mountain climbers capable of climbing mountains like Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Everest. We do not know whether the TMC’s ‘tall vision’ would materialize or not, but what we know is that the “Naga Climbers” of TMC are all set to climb peaks initially at least in India; hopefully, with the support from college management and well-wishers.
Mountaineering is a much-neglected sport in our country, presently dominated by European climbers. They have had legends like Reinhold Messner, Jerzy Kukuczka, Peter Habeler, George Mallory. However, Indian are gradually making their mark with our own list of legends like Major Harpal Singh Ahluwalia, Colonel N Kumar, Colonel Avtar Singh Cheema, Colonel RanveerJamwal, 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 May 10, 1993 while Arunima Sinha also became the first female amputee to scale Mt Everest on May 21, 2013.
Again, the Indian circle has been dominated by Army mountaineers, however, a large number of civilian climbers have also made their mark with equal strength and valor. The mountaineering training pattern developed over the period of a century has also been of largely ‘Army Standard,’ which the TMC strictly follows.
As stated, while many future plans are in the pipeline, the biggest challenge that we face is the expensive nature of the sport. Most of the good quality equipment are manufactured in European countries and have to be either imported or bought from import houses. If taken good care of, the equipment are durable, but initial investment requires huge funds which the TMC lacks presently, and members pay from their own pockets.
Also, climbing expeditions have their own economics which the club is learning to negotiate via some fundraiser activities and support from some “Old Dreamers” who believe in TMC’s cause. The TMC founder had narrated stories of great people like Sir Ernest Shackleton, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen from “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration” replete with heroic deaths, financial bankruptcy and grand victories, keeping our morale high.
Many a time, people don’t understand the mind of adventurers, though most are born adventurers and explorers. Humanity started their heroic journey from Africa some seventy-five thousand years ago to populate the Earth and their courage has won over nature. Sooner or later, humans are going to explore mysteries of deep space as well -their exploring nature would not let humanity remain content.
The heroic age of the sea and polar adventures proved the real character of the human. Sometimes as students we feel sad because, in the 21st Century, it appears that there is nothing left to - explore, discover, win or claim. But the TMC founder always encouraged us to go beyond the seen - in search of unseen; and to go beyond what is ‘known’- in search of unknown, unseen, untouched and learn and appreciate the mystery of the complex universe.
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, Nisha Dahiya and Meren. For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org
