We lack spirit of adventure: Mandip Singh

New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) In India parents are too cautious to send their children for adventure tourism. In fact as a nation we lack spirit of adventure says Mandip Singh Soin, well known adventure sportsperson.

Soin, who got into Limca Book of Records in 1992 as
'India's Most Versatile Adventure Sportsperson' and honoured
with the same this year, says, "Adventure tourism is popular
in other countries. Spirit of adventure teach us to handle
pressures of life better. But the irony is that we lack the
spirit as a nation. Parents here are too cautious and
apprehensive and do not take it as a sport."

However, the adventurer, who from the age of 16 has
participated in adventure activities including Himalayan
treks, ice-treks, cycling expeditions, camel and elephant
expeditions and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society,
UK, however says that adventure tourism as a sport is slowly
growing in the country with more and more youngsters showing
interest.

"Its been a long journey. But now people are showing
interest in it. With the corporates using this sports as a
team building measure and college and schools also promoting
it on higher level, the percentage of people who have shown
active interest in the last 4-5 years has grown tremendously",
he says.

Soin, who has done it all from climbing expeditions and
treks to jeep safaris and mountain biking, now wants to
conquer Mount Everest but not through the beaten track.

"My next target is to climb the Everest. But I would
not take the normal route as all other mountaineers had done
in the past. I want to reach there through an unusual route. I
want to go through challenges but it does not mean that the
normal route is easy."

Mandip is the first Indian to be conferred the 'Ness
Award' by the Royal Geographical Society, UK for
Mountaineering, Polar Expeditions and Encouragement of Youth
Exploration. He is also the founder President of the Eco
Society of India and a member of National Committee on
Tourism of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"India is unique in a way as it has the maximum number
of diverse tourist places. But lack of infrastructure in place
and medical facilities are some areas which need to be look at
and require utmost attention from government," he says.

The announcement of Soin's entering into record book
was done recently in the Capital in the presence of several
dignitaries and intellectuals.

Talking about his experience of participation in an
Indo-Pakistan friendship expedition in the Swiss Alps in 2002,
he says, "That was a lifetime experience. I knew I have to
climb the mountain with ace Pakistani climber who fought
Kargil war and killed our soldiers but our objective was to
propose the disputed Siachen Glacier between India and
Pakistan to be declared as a Trans Boundary Environmental
Peace."

Over the years, his company Ibex has been recognised
with four international and one national award such as PATA
Gold and Green Globe for Excellence and Environmental
Consciousness. "Each Year we launch new journeys and
explorations which promote responsible travel with emphasis on
good environment practices and caring for local communities."
PTI ASH