2. Author introduction

Major Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia, also known as H P S Ahluwalia, was born on \(6\) November \(1936\). He is an Indian mountaineer, social worker, author, and retired Indian Army officer. Ahluwalia was brought up in Shimla along with his two sisters and two younger brothers. His father was Sarjit Singh, and his mother was Harbans Kaur. Ahluwalia's father was employed as a Civil Engineer in the Indian Central Public Works Department. 
 
H P S Ahluwalia did his schooling at St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun. After completing his schooling, he joined St. George's College, Mussoorie. There, he developed his interest in photography and rock climbing. Along with his graduation, his interest in rock climbing increased. Ahluwalia did rock climbing in Garhwal, Sikkim, Nepal, Ladakh, and Mount Everest.

 

After graduation, Ahluwalia joined the Indian Army as an officer. During the Indo-Pakistani War, he received a bullet in his spine, which led him to use a wheelchair. Later he received an early discharge from the Army on \(8\) January \(1968\), with the honorary rank of major.
 
Ahluwalia had made many contributions to adventure, sports, disability, and social work. He was the sixth Indian man and twenty-first man in the world who climbed Mount Everest. He climbed Mount Everest with his friends named Rawat, Edmund Hillary and Phu Dorji.
 
At present, Ahluwalia is working as the Chairman of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. He is the author of thirteen books and the creator of the award-winning "Beyond Himalaya" series, which had broadcasted on Discovery and National Geographic channels worldwide.
 
Some of his notable awards are,