Shanti Rai, a prominent mountaineer and instructor at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure & Eco-Tourism in Chemchey, Sikkim, has been awarded the prestigious IMF Gold Medal by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). The award, one of India’s highest honors in mountaineering, recognizes her exceptional achievements in high-altitude expeditions and her contributions to promoting adventure sports in the Himalayan region.
Rai’s career highlights include scaling the formidable Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) in January 2021 and leading a nine-member team to conquer Kun Peak (7,077 meters) in Kargil in 2022. The Kun Peak expedition, organized by the Chhattisgarh Government in collaboration with the IMF, was aimed at promoting women’s empowerment. The team successfully hoisted the Indian tricolor at the summit, bringing pride to the nation.
In 2022, Rai became the first Sikkimese to be elected a lifetime member of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, securing the highest number of votes during the organization’s 58th Annual General Meeting. As an instructor, she has played a crucial role in encouraging women to participate in adventure sports, inspiring a new generation of mountaineers.
The IMF Gold Medal, instituted in 1961, has previously been awarded to legendary figures such as Tenzing Norgay, Sonam Gyatso, and Dorjee Lhatoo. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, founded in 1957, serves as the apex body for mountaineering and adventure sports in India, promoting expeditions, safety standards, and skill development.
Rai’s achievements reflect her dedication to the field of mountaineering and her efforts to advance the representation of women in adventure sports. Her recognition by the IMF marks a proud moment for Sikkim and the mountaineering community in India.
