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[[Image:SanawarLogo.jpg|frame|Sanawar Logo]] |
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⚫ | '''The Lawrence School, Sanawar''' (near [[ |
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The school was started with 14 boys and girls and by the year 1853, the number of students had grown to 195. In the same year, the School was presented with the King’s Colour by [[Lord Dalhousie]] and the School became the first school of the [[British Empire]] to get this honour; only five other schools and colleges have received the honour of being presented with King’s Colour namely, Eton, [[Shrewsbury]], [[Cheltenham]], the Duke of York’s Royal Military School and the Royal Military College, [[Sandhurst]]. |
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== Introduction == |
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⚫ | '''The Lawrence School, Sanawar''' (near [[Kasauli]]), [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]], one of the oldest co-educational boarding schools in the world, was established on [[15th April]] [[1847]], and is named after [[Henry Montgomery Lawrence|Major General Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence]] of the Army of the [[Colonial India|colonial India]]’s [[British Raj]]. |
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The school has had many dignitaries passing out and is a reputed public co-educational residential school of India. |
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==The background== |
==The background== |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Founded by Sir Henry and Lady Honoria Lawrence, Sanawar is believed to be the first co-educational boarding school in the world. On the 15th of April 1847, a group of 14 boys and girls camped at the top of the foothills of the Himalayas. They lived under canvas for some weeks anxiously waiting for the first buildings to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. Thus did Sanawar come into existence. By 1853 the school had grown to 195 pupils when it was presented with the King's Colour. One of only six schools and colleges ever to be so honoured in the entire British Empire, the others being Eton, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham, the Duke of York's Royal Military School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Sanawar has held its Colour for the longest unbroken period. |
Founded by Sir Henry and Lady Honoria Lawrence, Sanawar is believed to be the first co-educational boarding school in the world. On the 15th of April 1847, a group of 14 boys and girls camped at the top of the foothills of the Himalayas. They lived under canvas for some weeks anxiously waiting for the first buildings to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. Thus did Sanawar come into existence. By 1853 the school had grown to 195 pupils when it was presented with the King's Colour. One of only six schools and colleges ever to be so honoured in the entire British Empire, the others being [[Eton]], [[Shrewsbury]], [[Cheltenham]], the [[Duke of York's Royal Military School]] and the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]], Sanawar has held its Colour for the longest unbroken period. |
||
From its Foundation the financial burden of the School was borne by Sir Henry until his death in 1857, when the government assumed responsibility for the finances as a mark of esteem to his memory. Under these arrangements, control of the School passed from the 'Honourable Board of Directors' to the Crown. This |
From its Foundation, the financial burden of the School was borne by Sir Henry until his death in 1857, when the government assumed responsibility for the finances as a mark of esteem to his memory. Under these arrangements, control of the School passed from the 'Honourable Board of Directors' to the Crown. This was a most unusual arrangement, not repeated in any English Public School. |
||
The tradition of military training at Sanawar has always been strong and was of such a high standard that several contingents of boys were enlisted from the School and sent straight to the battlefields of the Great War. In appreciation of this, the School was redesignated in 1920 as the "Lawrence Royal Military School", and, in 1922, the Prince of Wales personally presented the School with new Colours. The School Colour continues to this day to be trooped at the Founders Celebration in early October and Sanawar pupils continue to make a major contribution to the defence of the country to this day. |
The tradition of military training at Sanawar has always been strong and was of such a high standard that several contingents of boys were enlisted from the School and sent straight to the battlefields of the Great War. In appreciation of this, the School was redesignated in 1920 as the "Lawrence Royal Military School", and, in 1922, the Prince of Wales personally presented the School with new Colours. The School Colour continues to this day to be trooped at the Founders Celebration in early October and Sanawar pupils continue to make a major contribution to the defence of the country to this day, most notably in the form of [[Arun Khetarpal]], a [[Param Vir Chakra]] awardee. |
||
Sanawar's Centenary year (1947) was crucial to the development of the School. With Independence, the bulk of the staff and children at Sanawar returned to the UK. However, the then Governor General, Lord Louis Mountbatten, presided at the School's Centenary celebrations and read out a special message from George VI. Thereafter, control of the School passed from the Crown to the Government of India, Ministry of Defence. A further transfer in 1949 brought the School under the control of the Ministry of Education and subsequently, in 1953, to the autonomous Lawrence School (Sanawar) Society. However, Sanawar retains strong links with its past. The Chairman of the Society is the Secretary for Education, Government of India and, at the recent sesquicentenary celebrations in 1997, a message of |
Sanawar's Centenary year (1947) was crucial to the development of the School. With Independence, the bulk of the staff and children at Sanawar returned to the UK. However, the then Governor General, Lord Louis Mountbatten, presided at the School's Centenary celebrations and read out a special message from George VI. Thereafter, control of the School passed from the Crown to the [[Government of India]], Ministry of Defence. A further transfer in 1949 brought the School under the control of the Ministry of Education and subsequently, in 1953, to the autonomous Lawrence School (Sanawar) Society. However, Sanawar retains strong links with its past. The Chairman of the Society is the Secretary for Education, Government of India and, at the recent sesquicentenary celebrations in 1997, a message of congratulations was received from the current Prince of Wales, Prince Charles. |
||
The first Principal of the School was the Rev. W. J. Parker, (1848 - 1863). Notable events during his period include the first Founder's Day in 1849, and the opening of the Chapel in 1851. Parker was followed by the Rev. J. Cole (1864 - 1886), the Rev. A. Hilldersley (1886 - 1912) and by the fourth Principal, the Rev. G. D. Barne (1912 - 1932) who developed Sanawar into a major public school along English lines with House and Prefectorial systems, games on an organised basis and a curriculum working towards Cambridge University Examinations. |
The first Principal of the School was the Rev. W. J. Parker, (1848 - 1863). Notable events during his period include the first Founder's Day in 1849, and the opening of the Chapel in 1851. Parker was followed by the Rev. J. Cole (1864 - 1886), the Rev. A. Hilldersley (1886 - 1912) and by the fourth Principal, the Rev. G. D. Barne (1912 - 1932) who developed Sanawar into a major public school along English lines with House and Prefectorial systems, games on an organised basis and a curriculum working towards Cambridge University Examinations. |
||
The School continued to evolve and modernise throughout the middle and later years of the last century. In 1956 Mr. E. G. Carter, retired as Principal and was succeeded by Major R. Som Dutt (1956 - 1970), the School's first Indian Headmaster. He laid the foundations for the school, as it is today, India's foremost residential coeducational public school. Developments have continued since that time, most notably under the leadership of Mr. S. R. Das (1974 - 1988). |
The School continued to evolve and modernise throughout the middle and later years of the last century. In 1956, Mr. E. G. Carter, retired as Principal and was succeeded by Major R. Som Dutt (1956 - 1970), the School's first Indian Headmaster. He laid the foundations for the school, as it is today, India's foremost residential coeducational public school. Developments have continued since that time, most notably under the leadership of Mr. S. R. Das (1974 - 1988). |
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== Campus == |
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== Students == |
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== Faculty == |
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== Extra Curricular Activities == |
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== Curriculum == |
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== School Philosophy, Aims & Objectives == |
|||
First and foremost, the Lawrence School, Sanawar sees its aim as to provide each pupil with a childhood full of positive experiences to remember, one which is full of diversity and richness, warmth, colour and fulfillment. |
|||
Secondly, the School seeks to provide every child with a broad based education in terms of academic study, sports and leisure activities. |
|||
Some may perceive that the balance between academic work and extra curricular activities in Sanawar is less strongly tilted towards academic endeavour than in other schools. Certainly a higher than average percentage of time is spent gaining a wider than average breadth of educational experience. This is mainly because the administration of the school believes that the young people they are educating are the leaders of tomorrow - they need more than high percentages to achieve in a global world. |
|||
Thirdly, they aim to help every child to perform at the very top of their ability range in whatever they do. In particular, while they seek to provide a broad based education throughout the School, as the child enters the examination years, academic work progressively becomes the most important issue. |
|||
Finally, as a co-educational School, Sanawar provides a balanced, safe but realistic environment for young people to learn and grow. The traditions of perseverance and duty are strongly upheld, as one would expect in a School with the motto "Never Give In", but so too are tolerance and openness. This approach is not a response to passing fashion but has been proved through the successful experience of over 150 years. |
|||
In overall terms, the School seeks to turn out young men and women with a well developed personality, prepared to engage with and contribute to the community at a regional, national and global level. In this aim, the School has met with a considerable level of success over a protracted period of time. Old Sanawarians appear in the upper echelons of the nations armed forces, in the professions, in global banking, commerce and technology, in the arts, music and films, in organised religion, academia and politics. |
|||
== Location == |
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It is difficult to conceive how the imagination of Sir Henry Lawrence may have first perceived that Sanawar was to be the place for his new School. On a rural hilltop at 5,600 ft, forested with pine and evergreens, Sanawar has developed over some 139 acres and is now an historical landmark in its own right. With its characteristic red roofs, visible on the horizon for miles in all directions, the estate is a veritable wonderland of rambling paths, trees, flowers and exotic birdlife. To the north, on a clear sparkling morning, the panoramic view of the snowclad peaks of the Himalayas can be seen, while to the south are rolling hills leading down to the plains. Away from distractions of city life, Sanawarian's interests are concentrated within this idyllic environment. |
|||
Walking around the campus, the visitor can see a mixture of colonial buildings, many of which are over a century old, nestling side by side with more modern facilities which have been added to enhance both the practical needs of the school as well as the existing physical environment. One of the oldest buildings is the 149 year old School Chapel with its exquisite stained glass windows. Whilst the school has no specific religious affiliation, the Chapel is the spiritual centre of the community, and regular assemblies are held in which all students and staff take part. It is the focus of memories for all Sanawarians past and present; the daily routine includes a silent march past the War Memorials beside the Chapel, connecting the pupils of today with those of the past who have played their part in the nations call. |
|||
Amongst the new buildings is the Central Dining Hall, where staff provide over 3,000 meals a day, and an indoor sports complex with solar heated swimming pool and squash courts. The School is constantly upgrading its facilities, most recently, Parker Hall, now the schools' Learning Resource Centre, provides easy access to archival memorabilia, up to date library resources for enhancing learning and teaching, and computer and internet facilities for study and research. In this building alone over thirty new computers have been installed and the first ISDN line in Himachal. |
|||
There are many other buildings and facilities of interest, supporting both academic and non-academic activities. Particularly worthy of mention is the main teaching block, the 'Birdwood', which also contains the Barne Hall, where plays, shows, films and lectures are regularly held. Around the campus are numerous playing fields, the newest being a superb basketball court. |
|||
Gaskell Hall, named after William Gaskell, used to be the boys school. Gaskell Hall is now the school Gymnasium. Inter-house Boxing and Gym competition are some of the main events held in Gaskell Hall. On one of the walls of the gymnasium is a quotation from Rudyard Kipling's "Kim", and it reads "Send him to Sanawar and make a man of him." |
|||
But the oldest and perhaps most famous is the main cricket and football ground, Barne Field, to which the descent and ascent alone will exhaust, leaving the fittest of players and spectators breathless! |
|||
In the early days, and due to its relative isolation, Sanawar established itself in a self sufficient manner with its own hospital, press, kitchens, laundry and shops. Today, communication is much easier, through e-mail and fax. Provisions are brought daily from Chandigarh, which, being only an hour and a half drive away, provides an easily accessible centre for cultural and educational activities. Improved rail links with Delhi also mean that the School now enjoys the best of worlds, privacy and peace combined with modern links. |
|||
Sitting on a hill as it does, physical activity is the daily bread of life for all Sanawarians. While the breadth and scope of its buildings provides for every possible need, academic, sporting and pastoral, Sanawar still has magical spaces for repose and quiet, where students are free to sit and reflect. |
|||
== Terminology and Slang == |
|||
== Old Sanawarians == |
|||
In the course of its 160 year old existence, many alumni that passed out of Sanawar, earned name for themselves as well as for Sanawar. Some of the notable alumni are: |
|||
*[[Arun Khetarpal]] - Paramveer Chakra Awardee - the highest honour for Indian Army |
|||
*[[Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat]] - Former Indian Naval Chief |
|||
*[[Rana Talwar]] - Erstwhile head of [[Standard Chartered]] Bank |
|||
*[[Sanjay Dutt]], [[Rahul Roy]], [[Pooja Bedi]] - Actors |
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*[[Omar Abdullah]], [[Maneka Gandhi]] - Politicians |
|||
*[[Siddharth Kak]] - TV Personality |
|||
*[[Ajeet Bajaj]] - First Indian to ski to North Pole |
|||
and many more... |
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== References == |
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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_school_sanawar" |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Educational institutions established in the 1840s]] |
[[Category:Educational institutions established in the 1840s]] |
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[[Category:Schools in India]] |
[[Category:Schools in India]] |
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[[Category:Himachal Pradesh]] |
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{{HimachalPradesh-geo-stub}} |
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{{India-school-stub}} |
{{India-school-stub}} |
Revision as of 12:36, 15 May 2006
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/SanawarLogo.jpg)
Introduction
The Lawrence School, Sanawar (near Kasauli), Himachal Pradesh, India, one of the oldest co-educational boarding schools in the world, was established on 15th April 1847, and is named after Major General Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence of the Army of the colonial India’s British Raj.
The school has had many dignitaries passing out and is a reputed public co-educational residential school of India.
The background
Sir Lawrence had mooted the idea about the establishment of a chain of schools with a view to provide education to the children of the deceased and serving soldiers and officers of the British army. Lawrence was himself killed in the Indian rebellion of 1857, also called India’s First War of Independence. His dream took shape and four such schools, initially known as Lawrence Military Asylum, were established in different parts of India: the first two during his lifetime in the year 1847 at Sanawar and the second at Mount Abu in 1856; the third at Lovedale, near Ootacamund on 6th September 1858, and the fourth in Ghora Gali (near Murree, now in Pakistan) in 1860.
History
Founded by Sir Henry and Lady Honoria Lawrence, Sanawar is believed to be the first co-educational boarding school in the world. On the 15th of April 1847, a group of 14 boys and girls camped at the top of the foothills of the Himalayas. They lived under canvas for some weeks anxiously waiting for the first buildings to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. Thus did Sanawar come into existence. By 1853 the school had grown to 195 pupils when it was presented with the King's Colour. One of only six schools and colleges ever to be so honoured in the entire British Empire, the others being Eton, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham, the Duke of York's Royal Military School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Sanawar has held its Colour for the longest unbroken period.
From its Foundation, the financial burden of the School was borne by Sir Henry until his death in 1857, when the government assumed responsibility for the finances as a mark of esteem to his memory. Under these arrangements, control of the School passed from the 'Honourable Board of Directors' to the Crown. This was a most unusual arrangement, not repeated in any English Public School.
The tradition of military training at Sanawar has always been strong and was of such a high standard that several contingents of boys were enlisted from the School and sent straight to the battlefields of the Great War. In appreciation of this, the School was redesignated in 1920 as the "Lawrence Royal Military School", and, in 1922, the Prince of Wales personally presented the School with new Colours. The School Colour continues to this day to be trooped at the Founders Celebration in early October and Sanawar pupils continue to make a major contribution to the defence of the country to this day, most notably in the form of Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra awardee.
Sanawar's Centenary year (1947) was crucial to the development of the School. With Independence, the bulk of the staff and children at Sanawar returned to the UK. However, the then Governor General, Lord Louis Mountbatten, presided at the School's Centenary celebrations and read out a special message from George VI. Thereafter, control of the School passed from the Crown to the Government of India, Ministry of Defence. A further transfer in 1949 brought the School under the control of the Ministry of Education and subsequently, in 1953, to the autonomous Lawrence School (Sanawar) Society. However, Sanawar retains strong links with its past. The Chairman of the Society is the Secretary for Education, Government of India and, at the recent sesquicentenary celebrations in 1997, a message of congratulations was received from the current Prince of Wales, Prince Charles.
The first Principal of the School was the Rev. W. J. Parker, (1848 - 1863). Notable events during his period include the first Founder's Day in 1849, and the opening of the Chapel in 1851. Parker was followed by the Rev. J. Cole (1864 - 1886), the Rev. A. Hilldersley (1886 - 1912) and by the fourth Principal, the Rev. G. D. Barne (1912 - 1932) who developed Sanawar into a major public school along English lines with House and Prefectorial systems, games on an organised basis and a curriculum working towards Cambridge University Examinations.
The School continued to evolve and modernise throughout the middle and later years of the last century. In 1956, Mr. E. G. Carter, retired as Principal and was succeeded by Major R. Som Dutt (1956 - 1970), the School's first Indian Headmaster. He laid the foundations for the school, as it is today, India's foremost residential coeducational public school. Developments have continued since that time, most notably under the leadership of Mr. S. R. Das (1974 - 1988).
Campus
Students
Faculty
Extra Curricular Activities
Curriculum
School Philosophy, Aims & Objectives
First and foremost, the Lawrence School, Sanawar sees its aim as to provide each pupil with a childhood full of positive experiences to remember, one which is full of diversity and richness, warmth, colour and fulfillment.
Secondly, the School seeks to provide every child with a broad based education in terms of academic study, sports and leisure activities.
Some may perceive that the balance between academic work and extra curricular activities in Sanawar is less strongly tilted towards academic endeavour than in other schools. Certainly a higher than average percentage of time is spent gaining a wider than average breadth of educational experience. This is mainly because the administration of the school believes that the young people they are educating are the leaders of tomorrow - they need more than high percentages to achieve in a global world.
Thirdly, they aim to help every child to perform at the very top of their ability range in whatever they do. In particular, while they seek to provide a broad based education throughout the School, as the child enters the examination years, academic work progressively becomes the most important issue.
Finally, as a co-educational School, Sanawar provides a balanced, safe but realistic environment for young people to learn and grow. The traditions of perseverance and duty are strongly upheld, as one would expect in a School with the motto "Never Give In", but so too are tolerance and openness. This approach is not a response to passing fashion but has been proved through the successful experience of over 150 years.
In overall terms, the School seeks to turn out young men and women with a well developed personality, prepared to engage with and contribute to the community at a regional, national and global level. In this aim, the School has met with a considerable level of success over a protracted period of time. Old Sanawarians appear in the upper echelons of the nations armed forces, in the professions, in global banking, commerce and technology, in the arts, music and films, in organised religion, academia and politics.
Location
It is difficult to conceive how the imagination of Sir Henry Lawrence may have first perceived that Sanawar was to be the place for his new School. On a rural hilltop at 5,600 ft, forested with pine and evergreens, Sanawar has developed over some 139 acres and is now an historical landmark in its own right. With its characteristic red roofs, visible on the horizon for miles in all directions, the estate is a veritable wonderland of rambling paths, trees, flowers and exotic birdlife. To the north, on a clear sparkling morning, the panoramic view of the snowclad peaks of the Himalayas can be seen, while to the south are rolling hills leading down to the plains. Away from distractions of city life, Sanawarian's interests are concentrated within this idyllic environment.
Walking around the campus, the visitor can see a mixture of colonial buildings, many of which are over a century old, nestling side by side with more modern facilities which have been added to enhance both the practical needs of the school as well as the existing physical environment. One of the oldest buildings is the 149 year old School Chapel with its exquisite stained glass windows. Whilst the school has no specific religious affiliation, the Chapel is the spiritual centre of the community, and regular assemblies are held in which all students and staff take part. It is the focus of memories for all Sanawarians past and present; the daily routine includes a silent march past the War Memorials beside the Chapel, connecting the pupils of today with those of the past who have played their part in the nations call.
Amongst the new buildings is the Central Dining Hall, where staff provide over 3,000 meals a day, and an indoor sports complex with solar heated swimming pool and squash courts. The School is constantly upgrading its facilities, most recently, Parker Hall, now the schools' Learning Resource Centre, provides easy access to archival memorabilia, up to date library resources for enhancing learning and teaching, and computer and internet facilities for study and research. In this building alone over thirty new computers have been installed and the first ISDN line in Himachal.
There are many other buildings and facilities of interest, supporting both academic and non-academic activities. Particularly worthy of mention is the main teaching block, the 'Birdwood', which also contains the Barne Hall, where plays, shows, films and lectures are regularly held. Around the campus are numerous playing fields, the newest being a superb basketball court.
Gaskell Hall, named after William Gaskell, used to be the boys school. Gaskell Hall is now the school Gymnasium. Inter-house Boxing and Gym competition are some of the main events held in Gaskell Hall. On one of the walls of the gymnasium is a quotation from Rudyard Kipling's "Kim", and it reads "Send him to Sanawar and make a man of him."
But the oldest and perhaps most famous is the main cricket and football ground, Barne Field, to which the descent and ascent alone will exhaust, leaving the fittest of players and spectators breathless!
In the early days, and due to its relative isolation, Sanawar established itself in a self sufficient manner with its own hospital, press, kitchens, laundry and shops. Today, communication is much easier, through e-mail and fax. Provisions are brought daily from Chandigarh, which, being only an hour and a half drive away, provides an easily accessible centre for cultural and educational activities. Improved rail links with Delhi also mean that the School now enjoys the best of worlds, privacy and peace combined with modern links.
Sitting on a hill as it does, physical activity is the daily bread of life for all Sanawarians. While the breadth and scope of its buildings provides for every possible need, academic, sporting and pastoral, Sanawar still has magical spaces for repose and quiet, where students are free to sit and reflect.
Terminology and Slang
Old Sanawarians
In the course of its 160 year old existence, many alumni that passed out of Sanawar, earned name for themselves as well as for Sanawar. Some of the notable alumni are:
- Arun Khetarpal - Paramveer Chakra Awardee - the highest honour for Indian Army
- Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat - Former Indian Naval Chief
- Rana Talwar - Erstwhile head of Standard Chartered Bank
- Sanjay Dutt, Rahul Roy, Pooja Bedi - Actors
- Omar Abdullah, Maneka Gandhi - Politicians
- Siddharth Kak - TV Personality
- Ajeet Bajaj - First Indian to ski to North Pole
and many more...