Shillong, Mar 30: Assistant Secretary of the Meghalaya Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Association (MeSCMA), Teimiki Sungoh, attended the Search and Rescue Course at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), receiving the award for Best Rescuer alongside 11 other trainees from a group of 26 participants.
Sungoh, who hails from Shangpung village in West Jaintia Hills District, earned Grade A, the highest grade awarded by the Institute, for outstanding performance in the intensive search and rescue training held from March 6 to 28, 2025. The course was sponsored by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya.
Only 23 participants from across the country successfully completed the rigorous training. These individuals are now equipped to assist district authorities and organizations in responding effectively to emergencies.
Sungoh was the sole participant from the Northeast region. His exceptional skills have led the institute to invite him as a Guest Instructor for future courses scheduled for May 2025.
The training required participants to demonstrate physical and mental fitness, along with a positive and adventurous attitude. Conducted at high altitudes in the Himalayas, the course included rope techniques on rocky cliffs, snow, glaciers, and crevasses, along with skills in First Aid, navigation, communication signals, and evacuation methods. Trainees also learned helicopter-based rescue operations and canine-assisted search techniques.
