Indus school students conquer Mt Fuji

Hyderabad : In what seemed like a test of mental and physical fitness, a group of nine students of Indus International Schools recently climbed the Mt Fuji (3,776 m), the highest peak of Japan. Mt. Fuji is the 7 largest peak in the world and is currently an active volcano (three separate volcanos in one). There is a very small window to trek Mt. Fuji; it starts at the beginning of July until the last week of August.

Under the able guidance of Captain MohitTomar (Leadership Trainer, Indus School of Leadership), grades 8, 9 and 10 students from Indus International Schools in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune undertook this mountaineering expedition as part of their leadership training programme, ‘Peak to Lead’, that is meant to train young minds to face all life’s challenges with grit and determination and overcome them despite hurdles.

Out of the nine students, five students touched the peak of Mt. Fuji who were:

1.Ishan Santosh Subhedar(Grade 9, Indus International School Pune),
2.Vighnesh Sundar Kannan(Grade 10, Indus International School Hyderabad),
3.Arvind Sundar Kannan(Grade 8, Indus International School Hyderabad),
4.Umang Singhania(Grade 9, Indus International School Hyderabad) and
5.Cesar Afonso Huret(Grade 8, Indus International School Bangalore).

“I was determined to reach the top of Mt Fuji, come what may. At the moments of doubt, our teachers and guides kept our spirit high, making the climb seem like merely a ‘matter of effort and discipline’. This is a dream come true, indeed. I believe that this is the best way to learn about setting and achieving challenging goals and learn the value of human life. I am grateful for being alive,”said Ishan Santosh Subhedar(Grade 9, Indus International School Pune.

“Mountaineering is a spiritual sport that teaches the best leadership lessons and demands conquering the inner world. During the climb, the students faced extreme conditions - the weather was rough, unpredictable and chilling cold - but they overcame all the adversaries and focused on their goal, eventually reaching the mountain peak. We believe that leadership is about learning to lead yourself first and then the others; and it is best learnt through such experiences” informed Colonel Sathya Rao (Director, Indus School of Leadership).
After the success of this mountaineering plan, Indus School of Leadership foresees its students climbing Mt Everest.

“Climbing Mt. Everest is vision of the ‘Peak to Lead’ project at Indus School of Leadership. It will require an immense sense of training, discipline, diligence and determination. We are confident that are students are capable of achieving this feat.” added Captain MohitTomar (Leadership Trainer, Indus School of Leadership).

The two time Everester Col. Neeraj Rana helped organising the overall expedition, along with Harshali Vartak.