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The Inaugural Sujal Mukherjee Memorial Lecture 2014



Sujal Mukherjee (1932-1994) belonged to the first generation mountaineers of West Bengal. He started to trek in the Garwal and Kumaun Himalaya in 1961 and undertook his Basic and Advance Mountaineering Courses in HMI in the years 1964 and 1965. Since his introduction to the Indian Himalaya he remained an active alpinist and a keen rock climber. In the 1980’s, Sujal played a pivotal role in the camping and nature study movement of West Bengal. 

Sujal Mukherjee 1932-1994


Inspired by Sujal’s humble, yet dedicated and academic approach to the outdoors and to carry on his legacy; some of his students of rock climbing got together to organize an annual lecture in his memory. Thus, ‘The Inaugural Sujal Mukherjee Memorial Lecture’ was born. The theme of this year’s lecture series was ‘Exploring the Indian Himalaya’ and was held on 8th March, 2014, at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata.

a section of audience engrossed in the inspiring talks


The distinguished guests to present their talks this evening were Sri Harish Kapadia, Sri Rajesh Gadgil and Sri Divyesh Muni. Every last seat of the auditorium at the Rotary Sadan, Kolkata, was occupied with great enthusiasm and interest. The audience was a curious mix of veteran climbers to would be alpinists and they were not disappointed. Dr. Kallol Das, one of Sujal's beloved student, delivered the welcome address.

Dr. Kallol Das addressing the audience with a warm welcome


The first speaker to address the audience was Sri Harish Kapadia. The title of Sri Kapadia’s talk was “Arunachal Forever". In his talk Sri Kapadia covered Arunachal Pradesh’s turbulent history of the war with China, McMahon Line saga, people and ancient pilgrim trails, historical explorations, high unclimbed peaks, trails to Burma via Chaukan Pass and Pangsu pass, flying the Burma Hump and Lake of No Return, Second World War in Burma and Arunachal Pradesh, and the Journey and exploration of the Brahmaputra river. This talk was based on Sri Kapadia’s nine trips to inner Arunachal Pradesh.

Sri Harish Kapadia delivers his talk "Arunachal Forever"


Sri Rajesh Gadgil was the second speaker this evening. Sri Gadgil’s talk was titled ‘Wanderings on the Unbroken Trails’. “Wanderings on the Unbroken Trails” included some of Sri Rajesh Gadgil’s climbs and explorations in the Himalaya with particular references to his expeditions to Zanskar, Garhwal, Kumaon, Spiti, Ladakh and the Eastern Karakoram.

Anindya Mukherjee introducing Sri Rajesh Gadgil for his talk

Sri Rajesh Gadgil delivering his talk "Wanderings on the Unbroken Trails"


Sri Divyesh MuniSrimati“First Ascent of Chamsen (7017m)”.  It is a spectacular, thrilling and inspiring documentary movie shot during Sri Divyesh Muni and his team’s ascent of Chamsen 7017m.
Apart from the talks, the organizers felicitated Sri Thendup Sherpa for his outstanding contribution to Himalayan expeditions in recent years.

Sri Divyesh and Vineeta Muni on stage before presenting their expedition movie "First Ascent of Chamsen 7017m


Anindya Mukherjee, co- host of the Inaugural Sujal Mukherjee Memorial Lecture presented vote of thanks.  The organizers are grateful to the group of friends and followers of Sujal for supporting this event and extending their valuable help. But a special mention must go to Hon'ble Justice Biswanath Somadder, Sri Arindam Mukherjee, Dr. Rupak Bhattacharya. Without their support this event would not have been this successful. 

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