Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition is an annual programme started by the DSYS in the year 2016 to commemorate the Biju Patnaik Birth Centenary Celebration. The expedition aims at instilling values of adventurism, discipline, team spirit and leadership among youths. The selected candidates had to pass through a fitness test as the Himalayan region offers tough terrain and endurance, fitness and strength is key.

The 4th Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition is planned to be held from September 12-24, 2019 with technical support from Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF). The two-level ‘Selection-cum-Preparatory Camps’ were held earlier to finalise the expedition team.

The final team consisting of 10 boys and five girls, under the leadership of Everester Ganesh Chandra Jena, will be going on the expedition to Mt Stock Kangri. The expedition will be headed and guided by Padmashree Bachendri Pal, Legendary Mountaineer and first Indian lady to climb Mt Everest.

Haresh Kumar Mishra, DSYS Programme Officer will also be accompanying the team up to base camp in Leh for smooth coordination of the programme. For selection of participants of this expedition, an open advertisement was published in the month of June-2019. In response 97 applications were received for the purpose, out of which 65 youth (53 male & 12 female) were eligible and attended the fitness/ endurance test at Kalinga Stadium on July 18, 2019.

The pre-selection camp held at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, was organised under the technical support of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF). Out of 65 participants, 30 youths (20 boys & 10 girls) were selected for the conditioning camp held at Utarakshi from August 2 to 12, 2019. But the DSYS did not reveal the names of the 15 youths selected for the expedition.
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TOP: DSYS Secretary Vishal K Dev flags off the 4th Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 9 Sept, 2019.
RIGHT: Members of the 4th Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition team with Everester Ganesh Chandra Jena and DSYS Programme Officer Haresh Kumar Mishra at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 9 Sept, 2019.