Recently, the Indian Government gave its approval to Team CLAW for a groundbreaking mission. This team, consisting of people with disabilities, aims to scale the Siachen Glacier and set a new world record. This ambitious endeavour is part of the ‘Operation Blue Freedom Triple World Records’, a series of world records being undertaken in 2021. The team seeks to achieve remarkable feats on land, in air, and underwater.
Siachen Glacier: An Overview
Located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, the Siachen Glacier lies just northeast of Point NJ9842, where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. It’s the second-longest glacier in non-polar regions worldwide, falling just behind the Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan’s Yazgulem Range.
The Siachen Glacier is situated south of the significant Eurasian Plate drainage divide from the Indian subcontinent. Often referred to as the “Third Pole,” this region is extensively glaciated. Reputed as the world’s highest battlefield, the Siachen Glacier has been under Indian administration since 1984.
Expedition Highlights
Initially, 20 people with disabilities will be selected for training, following which the final expedition team will be shortlisted. This team will include at least six people with disabilities, tasked with the gruelling trek from the Siachen Base Camp to Kumar Post, situated at an altitude of about 15,632 feet.
Insight into Team CLAW and Operation Blue Freedom
Team CLAW, led by Major Vivek Jacob, consists of ex-Indian Special Forces commandos with elite skills spanning skydiving, mountaineering, emergency medical response, and all-terrain survival. Apart from military expertise, they also share a common goal via Operation Blue Freedom. This venture aims to rehabilitate people with disabilities through adaptive adventure sports, altering perceptions about their limitations and advocating for dignity, freedom, and ability.
Facing the Disability Challenge
The term “disabilities” encapsulates impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. These impact an individual’s abilities to perform tasks or engage in life situations. As per the 2011 Census of India, approximately 2.68 crore people, equivalent to 2.21% of the total population, are ‘Disabled’. Among these, 1.5 crore are males and 1.18 crore are females, with most residing in rural areas.
Globally, 15% of the population (or 1 billion people) live with disabilities. They often face hurdles such as inadequate rehabilitation, lack of skills training, mobility challenges, and limited employment opportunities. This marginalisation has led to wrongful perceptions about their capacities, underutilising their potential and causing widespread exclusion from mainstream life.
Disability Initiatives in India
Several initiatives have been launched in India to support those living with disabilities. These include the Accessible India Campaign for creating a disability-friendly environment, the DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP), and the National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities (RGMF). Additionally, the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in 2016 to protect the rights of the disabled community.