Ukhrul, October 26: Tangkhul scientist Mr. Ngazipmi Chahong was flagged off for an Antarctica expedition (the 45th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica), where he will participate for approximately four to five months.
The Indian Antarctic Programme began in 1981 and ever since, has completed 44 scientific expeditions. Three permanent research base stations have been established: Dakshin Gangotri (1983), Maitri (1988), and Bharati (2012). Currently, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational. Mr. Chahong, who serves as a geologist with the Geological Survey of India (GSI), is among 96 members from various organizations and universities in India taking part in the expedition.
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To prepare, he recently completed a mandatory pre-expedition training program at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Mountaineering and Skiing Institute in Auli, Uttarakhand, from August 11–22, 2025. His research will focus on “glacier monitoring in the context of climate change” and “petrology.”
In a recent episode of the Tangkhul Geoscience Forum’s YouTube talk show CHĀN-NGAHĀN, hosted by Dr. Horthing V. Zimik, Mr. Chahong shared insights into his early struggles and successes. He discussed his preparedness for the expedition and encouraged young students to dream big and never give up. He also spoke about the role of his parents in his early studies and the support of his wife, Mrs. Misha Hungyo Chahong, in his professional career. Chahong cleared the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Examination in 2012 and 2015 (AIR 15). He initially joined the GSI as an Assistant Geologist and later technically resigned and rejoined as Geologist. He has also cleared CSIR-JRF in 2013 (AIR 28) and GATE in 2012. He was awarded the National Geoscience Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in 2022 for the discovery of manganese and cobalt in significant concentrations in the Shimoga Schist belt, Karnataka.
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Currently, seven Tangkhuls are employed at GSI:
- Mr. Rocky WS, Director
- Mr. Ringphami AS, Senior Geologist
- Mrs. Christabel Soraisam Khangrah, Senior Geologist
- Mr. Ngazipmi Chahong, Geologist
- Miss Shimyaphy RVS, Geologist
- Mr. Nganaomi Khangrah, Geologist
- Mr. Mirinsing Angkang, Geologist
For readers interested in the discussion, ‘CHĀN-NGAHĀN Episode V’ is available at the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M63v1PmGFnA