IPS officer scales Mount Everest

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 23

Born and brought up in the holy city, Suhail Sharma, a Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, has made the city proud by conquering the Mount Everest. He achieved this rare feat on May 20 from the Tibet side of the north face of Mount Everest, which is considered as one of toughest climbs. With this, Suhail has become first IPS officer to climb the highest peak of the world.

His family members here are elated over the feat achieved by Sharma who created history by scaling the 8,848-metre highest mountain in the world. Even Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis twitted and congratulated him on the achievement.

Uma Sharma, his mother, who lives in the New Amritsar area, said she and her family were proud of Suhail because he had “virtually reached the top of the world”. He called her first to inform her that he had achieved the feat. In a message, Suhail gave the credit of his success to his father. “This was a tribute to my late father, Dr VK Sharma, former principal of DAV College here, who had inspired me to scale heights.”

Thirtytwo-year-old Suhail had tried to scale the Everest last year also. However, he and his friend had a narrow escape in the Nepal earthquake. His mother said he was undeterred and even more determined to conquer the mountain. She said he started his journey on April 8 and it took around 41 days for him to reach the highest peak.

She said he was attracted towards mountains since his childhood. His brother, Sameer Sharma, is assistant vice-president at American Bank and wanted to send Suhail to the US. However, he was inclined towards doing something for the people and therefore he prepared for the IPS. Now, he has made the holy city and Punjab proud.