Its national president Harish Saxena will award 50 field directors and co-ordinators of Himalayan expeditions.
Gujaratis who have promoted adventures sports, Himalayan trekking in particular, will be honoured on Sunday. Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) will felicitate 50 field directors and co-directors of national Himalayan trekking expeditions, during the Yuva Milap, conference of Youth Hostellers.
"The main objective is to recognise the outstanding services and dedication of office bearers of our Gujarat chapter," said Harish Saxena, national president YHAI. Saxena, who has the privilege of being the first non-European to head the International Youth Hostels Federation, will be the chief guest at the function.
Saxena has been involved in various Himalayan expeditions and has been credited for encouraging trekking in the Himalayan region for the past few decades.
Saxena, a recipient of the Richard Schirrmann (Founder's) medal, intends to take the journey to the interiors of India - villages. YHAI encourages bullock cart and camel cart trekking.
"We want people, especially the youth, to know the culture of our villages. Moreover, the rides will enable them to experience the beauty of country as they will be required to camp in those villages," said Saxena, who has been instrumental in piloting the 'Keep Rohtang Pass Clean' campaign as part of their environment awareness charter. In addition, he said that they want people to explore the many caves of India and will soon commence a project on the same.
Last year, the association encouraged 100 Indian female mountain bikers to undertake about 600 kms of cycling through the world's most hazardous and difficult terrain. They crossed the Rohtang Pass (13,051 ft), BaraLacha Pass (16,050 ft), Lachung La Pass (16,600 ft) and Tanglang La Pass (17,469 ft) and finally the highest motorable road in the world - Khardungla Pass (18,340 feet). "The main purpose was to inject confidence and make them (mountain bikers) realise that they are capable of taking up a challenging task. Although an ambulance and physiotherapists accompanied them, it was a Herculean task for them to accomplish," said Mehul Shah, president of YHAI's Gujarat chapter. According to Shah, of 100-odd girls, 28 were from Gujarat.
Recently, the life members' count of YHAI crossed the one-lakh number. Interestingly, Divyesh of Ahmedabad was registered as the 1,00,000th member. YHAI's journey which commenced in 1959 with PL Sehgal becoming the first member only continues to swell with time.
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