Odisha mountaineer Devidutta Panda receives prestigious MacGregor medal

Globally acclaimed mountaineer from Odisha Devidutta Panda received the MacGregor medal in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Wing Commander received the prestigious medal  from Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan in a grand ceremony at United Service Institute (USI).

Panda's Feats

Panda was awarded this medal for his achievements in adventure sports. He has been part of 22 mountaineering expedition which includes, Mt Everest, Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Lhotse etc. He has also conducted many expedition in Alpine style without using sherpa, guide or high altitude porter. He has also successfully completed the Kardungla challenge, a gruelling 72 Km run crossing the mighty khardungla pass both in 2023  and 2024. He has also climbed frozen water falls and been part of many long distance cycling expeditions.

Must Read: International Mountain Day: Odisha Has Vast Potential For Adventure Sports, Says Devidutta Panda

Panda was the vice principal of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling from 2017 to 2020 and started Search and Rescue course there. He also started First Responder course in IAF to train Air warriors to for search and rescue of  air crew from crashed aircraft.

Why MacGregor Medal Is Awarded?

The MacGregor Medal (also referred to as the MacGregor Memorial Medal) is awarded for valuable military intelligence through reconnaissance, exploration, survey or other similar activities of national importance. Awardees have included Survey of India personnel, military attaches, consuls, political officers and Indian Army, Navy and Air Force personnel (including British officers before Independence).

The medal was instituted in May 1887 to honour the memory of United Service Institution of India founder, Major General Sir Charles MacGrego.