HMI expedition teams for four West Sikkim peaks as tribute to Indian freedom fighters

7,500 sqft national flag to be hoisted at summit point dedicated to freedom fighter Trilochan Pokhrel
DARJEELING,: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) here is all set to organize a short duration Trainees’ Climb-a-thon Expedition to four peaks in West Sikkim from April 21 to 30 for which the flagging-off ceremony was held at the HMI premises on Friday.
As part of the expedition, which is a tribute to Indian freedom fighters, the team will also unfurl the national flag measuring 7,500 sqft and weighing more than 70 kg atop a mountain in Sikkim Himalayas symbolizing the glorious journey of 75 years of Independence.
The expedition was flagged off by vice admiral M.S. Pawar, the deputy chief of Naval Staff on Thursday at the institute.
HMI principal Jai Kishan said, "Highly skilled HMI instructors and trainees of basic and advance mountaineering courses will take part in the expedition with the summit attempt to be made by 125 mountaineers. This will be the first time that this number of mountaineers will attempt 3-4 peaks from a common base camp in 125 hours.”
He added that the expedition will also commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The trainees comprise of candidates from Indian Armed Forces, NCC, Youth Services departments and a few from Bangladesh as well.
A tribute is also being made through the HMI expedition to the first Indian freedom fighter from Sikkim, Late Trilochan Pokhrel.  
According to a press release from the HMI, Pokhrel was born in East Sikkim and was highly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Pokhrel was popularly known as ‘Gandhi Pokhrel’ or ‘Vande Pokhrel’. He is said to be actively involved in Gandhi’s national freedom movement like Non-Cooperation movement and Civil Disobedience movement, as per the HMI release.
"He is known for propagating the concept of Swadeshi among the Sikkimese people. Akin to Gandhiji, he also used to wear a piece of cotton dhoti with a pair of khadau (wooden paduka). He used to address the village elders with ‘Vande Mataram’ and the villagers started calling him as Vande Pokhrel," said the HMI principal.
Kishan said, "The idea behind unfurling the large size national flag is to promote legacy and large motive of Indian Freedom Movement and Indian Himalayas. The flag hoisting place will be promoted as ‘Pokhrel Point’ in memory of Late Trilochan Pokhrel amongst the Indian mountaineering fraternity and make an effort to promote smaller peaks in Sikkim Himalayas for small mountain climbing and trekking expedition.”
The HMI principal further added due to the immense weight and size of the national flag, it has been divided into three parts each measuring 50 feet by 50 feet weighing more than 20 kg each.
"The flag will be assembled by velcro and stitching where we plan to unfurl the flag with the help of ropes. The flag will then be brought to Darjeeling and will be hoisted at an appropriate place either here or Kolkata," said Kishan.
The four peaks that the participants aim to summit in West Sikkim are Mt. Renok, Mt. Frey, Mt. B.C. Roy and Mt. Palum which all stand at a height of 19,500 feet and below.