36 Peaks, one flag: Bhukya Yashwanth chases mountaineering first
Bhukya Yashwanth, 22, is attempting something no Indian civilian has done before — climbing the highest peak in all 28 states and 8 UTs and hoisting the Tricolour on each summit.
He launched “Har Shikhar Par Tiranga” in 2025. “I wanted to do something that had never been done by a civilian before,” Yashwanth told TNIE. Funding delays have slowed him down, but he aims to finish by end of 2026.
Yashwanth started mountaineering in college in 2021. He’s already scaled Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Kosciuszko, completed Everest Base Camp, and climbed multiple 6,000m peaks in India. Back home, he’s completed state high points in six northeastern states, Goa and Rajasthan. He’s also the first civilian to summit Arunachal Pradesh’s highest peak.
His recent Ladakh expedition was a test. He turned back from Mt Kiager Ri at 6,100m after oxygen levels dropped to 66. He recovered and summited Mt Nomads at 6,125m. His team then climbed an unnamed 6,037m virgin peak with no prior route. He’s proposed naming it “Mount Vinod Kumar Chama” after Flying Officer Vinod Kumar Chama. The proposal is with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
Funding is the toughest climb. A 6,000m Indian expedition costs ~₹2 lakh. His Ladakh trip with documentary work was ~₹10 lakh. Everest would need ₹45 lakh+. Several governors and companies have supported him. “Mount Everest is definitely part of my journey. I couldn’t attempt it this year because of funding issues, but I will keep preparing,” he said.
