NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Friday urged the Border Security Force to encourage the youth to take up adventure sports as these activities will inspire them to achieve greater heights.

Flagging in the BSF Everest expedition team that successfully scaled Mount Everest on May 20, Mr. Patil observed at a ceremony in Vigyan Bhavan here that challenges exist in all spheres of life and our aim should not rest at Mount Everest.

The Home Minister lauded the efforts of the team members, especially the expedition leader, Additional Deputy Inspector-General S. C. Negi, who became the oldest Indian and highest-ranking official ever to scale the highest peak in the world.

"The ascent of Mount Everest was not a moment of happiness for just the members of the expedition alone but for the entire Force and the nation as well," said the Union Home Minister. "The remarkable achievement reflects the inclination of the BSF towards adventure activities and this feat has added one more glorious chapter to the history of the Force."

Stating that climbing Everest had always been the long cherished desire of every mountaineer, BSF Director-General A. K. Mitra said this was the first attempt by a BSF mountaineering team to scale Everest. Flagged off by the Home Minister on March 8, seven of the ten climbers climbed the summit.

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