25th Anniversary of Indian Mountaineering Foundation
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | August 27, 1983 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 2 |
| Quantity | 1,500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 959 Stamp Number IN 1026 Yvert et Tellier IN 771 Stanley Gibbons IN 1096 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Mountains |
The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) has played a seminal role in shaping the landscape of mountaineering and adventure sports in India since its inception in 1957. Though formally established on May 15, 1958, following the successful Cho Oyu Expedition, it wasn’t until January 1961 that it took its present nomenclature and was registered.
The IMF’s primary objective is to organize, support, and provide a base for mountaineering expeditions, skiing, rock climbing, trekking at high altitudes, and to promote various other adventure sports. Over the years, it has sponsored numerous expeditions and financially supported around 500 Indian expeditions, contributing significantly to the growth and development of mountaineering in the country.
The foundation’s activities extend beyond organizing expeditions; it provides scholarships for mountaineering training, conducts special training camps, arranges mountaineering equipment, and supports environmental conservation efforts in the Himalayas. Additionally, the IMF facilitates foreign expeditions by registering peaks for climbs, assisting in obtaining governmental clearances, arranging weather broadcasts, and coordinating rescue operations when needed.
As the IMF celebrates its Silver Jubilee, it reflects on its achievements and looks ahead to the future of Himalayan trekking and mountaineering. Collaborating with Air India and the Department of Tourism, the foundation plans to host discussions on important aspects of adventure sports during a three-day event.
Membership to the IMF is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to mountaineering or allied sports. The foundation’s leadership, including distinguished civil servants like Sir Raghavan Pillai and Shri S. S. Khera, has provided strategic guidance, while presidents like Shri H. C. Sarin have overseen a remarkable expansion in mountaineering activities across the country.
The IMF’s commitment to preserving the purity and safety of the Himalayan ecosystem underscores its ethos of responsible adventure sportsmanship. The issuance of a special stamp by the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation commemorates its invaluable contributions to the realm of adventure sports in India.