Dehradun: Defence Minister A.K. Antony has emphasised the need to foster a sense of adventure among the youth by promoting adventure sports.

Addressing the general body meeting of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) at Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand on Tuesday, Antony said the institute had played a major role in disaster management and relief.

Commending the institute for conducting specialised courses in search and rescue operations for personnel not only from the defence, paramilitary and police forces but also individuals from all walks of life, he said its role in promoting adventure activities deserved all round praise.

He called upon the NIM staff and instructors to make it a world-class mountaineering institute.

The minister also inaugurated the new office complex of the institute.

In his welcome address, NIM principal Col. M.M. Masur gave a brief presentation on the activities of the institute. He said NIM, during its 43 years' existence, had trained 18,324 Indians and 448 international mountaineers.

Earlier, on his arrival at Uttarkashi helipad, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Maj. Gen. (retd) B.C. Khanduri received the defence minister. IANS