Basecamp Festival India, being held from October 25 to 28 is a project of the Nungshi Tashi Foundation (NTF). It will include various events including outdoor activities, adventure films, guest speakers, guided walks, park runs, photography exhibits, children’s activities and camping. It shall introduce all attendees to various aspects of outdoors and underline the objectives of the Outdoor Leadership School. The first twin sisters in the world to scale mount Everest, Tashi and Nungshi Malik said this while addressing the media at the Press Club here on Wednesday.
The Malik sisters informed that Basecamp Festival India will also mark the launch of the Outdoor Leadership School (OLS). It is an experiential learning school located in the foothills of Mussoorie, the brainchild of the twins and their father colonel (retd) VS Malik. Existing Government mountaineering and adventure institutes only impart technical training. OLS is about using outdoors as means to much wider and holistic learning and development, they said.
The NTF has already adopted three villages-Bhitarli, Kandriyana and Taliyani Gad and formed Mountain-Women Self Help Groups. Through these groups, they want to promote mountaineering and adventure sports among girls and women, preserve and protect local ecology.
The twins stressed that women empowerment is one issue that is closest to their hearts. Through the OLS and NTF's combined forces the twins will work with the native women of the State and empower them to take care of their communities and households with confidence.
It should be mentioned here that among others, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju recently tweeted, “When two of our modern day heroes start a path breaking initiative to make India ‘outdoor nation’ let's say, well done & good luck@NungshiTashi their annual adventure event ‘basecamp festival India’ will inspire fellow citizens to adopt healthy and holistic lifestyles.” Participation in the festival is by free online registration available at the basecamp festival website.
