Ablaze in a Blizzard

We had seen that wintering at Antarctica is not a routine act. Inspite of changed environments, scientific developments , higher educations wintering at Antarctica still remains as struggle between man and the extreme environment. In this battle of nerve man can never challenge nature. If he survives and remains in good health after wintering at Antarctica that it self a proof of great success. Colonel Ganesan came to Antarctica after a thorough preparation and physically, mentally and psychologically strong enough to face the extreme climatic conditions of Antarctica. He had analysed the heroic race between Robert Falcon scott of UK and Roald Amundsen of Norway and the trumph and tragedy of their race to reach the South Pole. The repeated attempt of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton to engrave his name in Antarctic History will certainly be an eye opener to all those who wants to know more about Antarctica. Colone Ganesan had repeatedly studied again and again Shachleton's "Endurance" expedition to walk 2900 km from weddell sea via south pole to Ross sea. The ship endurance was trapped in ice and the ship crushed destroying the dream of Shackleton. But shackleton , the great Antarctic hero, struggled 522 days in the open sea and brought all his 28 men safe. This shows not only men should think extra ordinary but be bold to execute his plan. This had blown open Ganesan's mind and his wintering plan was something different which no one thought off. So his team members were ever willing for adventure and try new fields. They were told by the out going team that hot water making plant was not working properly and hence there must be restriction on water usage. Where as Ganesan's team strip opened the plant thoroughly overhauled and re fitted. water was flowing like avalanche and the team had hot water bath twice a day.

The team decided to have puja on every saturday and on the first puja all 15 members came in different outfit. Ganesan thought that for sanctity and uniformity all must be in same outfit. There were plenty of sealed boxes which were lying un opened since first expedition. Ganesan ordered to thoroughly search the station and found about 300 white double bed sheets. There was sewing machine and two of his team members were knowing stitching. so in the next 3 days all the 15 members had white pyjama-kurtha and ready for next week puja. The greatest enemy in Antarctica is idleness. Ganesan designed many activities which kept the team always buzy. TheRussian's administrative base was near india bay. so once in 2-3 months their convoy with about 6-7 men will come to their adm base and call on Ganesan. When they came next time Ganesan had organised Indo-Russia 6 sided football matchat in -34 degree. This was videographed and later when played at National college Bangalore evoked great enthusiasm and Dr.Narasimaiah, vice changalore had all the praise for Ganesan. The blizzard at Antarctica is most dangerous thing. visibility goes to zero. If you are otuside the station and can reach the station with in 5-10 mts then try. But if you are little away stay put where ever you are. If you try to be hero and try to come back you will loose the way and perhaps be blown away to unknown destination. Ganesan had made a walking ring of about 100 feet radius arround the station and fixed different land marks like empty barrel, bamboo pole wooden sleeper etc to identify direction and distance. Rope was tied arround the ring .on a blizzard day the team members two two each will come out of the station and walk along the ring holding the rope. It is just to feel the effect of cold and blizzard .. After all of them return to station they will have good snackes and tea. Ganesan is of the opinion that life has to be enjoyed all along the way;not at the terminal. so one must be active as much as he can according to his age and capability. Always count your blessings and not the problems. Happiness is a state of mind ;so dont look for happiness outward but look inward.

We all know that polar night which is about 4 months at Dakshingangotri is the most idle period as there is no sun. but Ganesan had designed many indoor and out door games both individual and team events that the polar nigt period was the most buzy and active period of wintering. Every man has got the nature of deviating from straight line. If you close your eyes and walk on pre marked sraight line, after about about 20 steps you will find yourself deviated either right or left. Ganesan had tested all his winter team members and told them to be aware of their deviation. He also had given instruction that there will be no out side movement during blizzard. Inspite of that an event took place at Dakshingangotri. It was 19 September 1988. Out side slight blizzard was blowing. Time was about 4pm.Ganesan was on night duty previous night and hence was taking rest. Suddenly there was knocking on the door. Ganesan opened the door and found 2-3 members were standing in a worried state.The matter is this; One of the Met scientist is missing from the station. The station had two metrological scientist and they were recording Met Datas every 3 hours. They both perform duty on shift basis. The one on rest was playing chess in the hall and saw the one on duty going out to take 3 oclock reading. He casually observed after some time that the scientist who went out side did not return. He went to the laboratory and saw that the 3 0clock reading not entered. He alerted all other members and station was searched. The scientist was not in the station. That means he had gone out side and did not return.

So what to do ?

They knocked the door and reported to Col Ganesan. Ganesan ordered rest of the members to assemble in the hall. He ordered.

1.Doctor to get first aid equipments, hot water bags ready. 2.No one will go out on his own in search. 3.Get 200 feet nylon rope. 4.One bachelore member will accompany Ganesan and go in search out side. 5.Incase Ganesan did not come with in reasonable time who should be next team to go insearch. 6.Medical officer will be temporarily incharge and he will not leave the station. 7.Since blizzard was going on all safety measures are to be observed by all. 8.Put on emergency light and blow electric siren continuously.

The fully buried station.Life saving escape shaft with ladder leaning can be seen. Col Ganesan standing near the Met instrument box from where the scientist was unable to reach the Station. With these instruction Ganesan and his assistant cilmbed the 20 feet vertical ladder and then got down through the sloping ladder to the ice surface. Tied one end of the nylon rope to the ladder and other end was tied between the two. Since blizzard was blowing arround 50-60 knots visibility was not there. The kept on crawling to the likely places snd shouting the scientist name. They were moving in a ytematic way from one to other end. after about 20 25 mts search they stumbled over half buried scientist. Ganesan and his assistant dragged the scientist to the base of the ladder and with the the help of other members the scientist was taken to the generator room. The genrator exaust was blown to the scintist body. The ice covered on the body slowly melted. Once the ice on the eye lashes melted he slowly opened his eyes. "*********...... Re born ( name avoided ) A special birth day party was organised on that day There were many such thrilling moments.May be some will come out if any one wants to know. To be contd............