Rajesh Mandge with the Qatari flag on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
It is the untold story of an Indian expatriate, Rajesh Mandge, who "out of his love for his workplace" has hoisted the Qatari flag on Uhuru peak, the highest point of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Mandge is an employee of Qatargas for eight years. “Qatar National Day was the motivation for this expedition. I planned the programme in December and reached the Uhuru Peak,” says Rajesh Mandge.
“In Indian culture, janmbhumi (birth place) and karmabhumi (workplace) are the most important places. And without doubt we must work to any extent to maintain their dignity and prestige,” he added.
At 19,336 feet, in the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Uhuru Peak is Africa’s highest peak. The mighty Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo (5,895m); Mawenzi (5,149m); and Shira (3,962m). Of all the cones, it is the iconic Uhuru Peak on Kibo’s crater rim that occupies the highest summit and makes Kilimanjaro a universal landmark and an adventurer’s dream. At 5,895m, Uhuru Peak remains the highest point in all of Africa and marks the spot of the jauntily angled summit sign where weary travellers are seen snapping their ‘victory’ photographs.
Mandge describes his working experience in Qatar as “excellent” and thinks that Qatar is a beautiful place with very good and cooperative people. On his future plans, he says: “I want to climb Mount Everest and hoist flags of India and Qatar on it. I want to represent India and Qatar also in European cycling marathon Geneva.”
“Hosting a Qatar and India flag at Uhuru Peak was a sentimental moment for me. It is an honour for anyone to host and salute a flag which is an utmost pride for any person. As per my best knowledge it was the first time in last decade when someone hosted a Qatar and Indian flag at Uhuru Peak.”
Mandge said it was a surprise move and he did not tell about his ambition to anybody. “Other than my company I neither asked anyone nor took any support from any other organisation.”
On his expedition experience, he said that it was sleepless and restless. “You won't get even basic food, shelter and drinking water. Sometimes we need to manage with shrubs root to get water and energy.”
But, he said, it had charms too like enjoying clear sky and watching bigger and brighter stars. “There was an entirely different world to experience; close encounter with mountains and valleys and passing through glacier is an unforgettable feast.”
On Qatar-India relations, Mandge says: “For decades, strong bonding exists between two nations. And we commit to maintain and bring it to new height through our culture and social heritage.” He says that Qatar has a very bright future and wide vision in sports. “I am very excited about 2022 World Cup.”
