Jamshedpur, Nov 26: Ram Hembrom, an Outdoor Leadership Course (OLC) participant, representing Tata Steel Foundation, has earned the 2nd position for Best Student among 104 participants (92 boys and 12 girls) in the Basic Mountaineering Course conducted by the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. The Foundation acknowledges Ram’s accomplishment as a collective outcome of the encouragement from the community, the guidance of trainers and the spirit of teamwork among all participants.
This year, five participants from Tata Steel Foundation took part in the NIMAS program, approaching the experience with dedication and resilience. TSF follows a three-stage process to identify and prepare candidates for advanced mountaineering training. The journey begins with the Tumung and Dimna Outdoor Leadership Experience, a three-day screening initiative that offers meritorious students and community members their first exposure to outdoor learning. This is followed by the ten-day Outdoor Leadership Course in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, designed to gently strengthen leadership qualities and build confidence in an outdoor environment. The pathway culminates in the 28-day Basic Mountaineering Course, which helps participants deepen their technical understanding and appreciation of mountaineering.
The initiative aims to cultivate leadership and decision-making abilities among youth, while offering hands-on exposure to outdoor survival and basic mountaineering techniques. It also encourages meaningful community involvement and promotes adventure-based learning as a route for personal growth. Over time, the program has helped participants grow in several ways. Many develop confidence and resilience, enabling them to adapt to challenging environments. Others strengthen their technical understanding of mountaineering, navigation and safety practices. Participants also experience steady growth in teamwork, patience and crisis management. Most importantly, individuals like Ram inspire others in their communities to explore new opportunities and believe in their potential.
