08 Dec A Word from Mr Akshay Shah – Director – Hanifl Centre
A Word from Mr Akshay Shah – Director – Hanifl Centre
Freshly honoured with the “Award for Excellence” by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Hanifl Centre has had an incredibly dynamic and productive academic year so far, marked by continuous engagement, impactful training programmes and a strong commitment to outdoor education and wilderness preparedness. Hanifl Centre remained active through the summer break, hosting 23 students from the University of Pittsburgh on a rigorous 41-day “Himalayan Health and Wilderness First Responder” programme. This immersive experience deepens the students’ understanding of health and safety in remote environments while experiencing it first hand in the peak monsoon months. The participants were fourth-year undergraduate students, mostly pursuing pre-med and nursing programmes at the University and earned nine college credits for this programme. As the school staff and students began returning to campus for the new academic year, the Centre was simultaneously bidding farewell to these students.
In the months that followed, Hanifl Centre conducted multiple outstation wilderness first aid courses. These included specialised training for participants of the Professional Safari Guide Course at Nature Guides Academy, Kanha, guides from the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in Rishikesh, river guides and staff at Snow Leopard Adventure, Rishikesh and instructors at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, Kuflon (Uttarkashi). Each of these sessions was tailored to the unique needs of the participants, reinforcing Hanifl Centre’s role as a leader in wilderness safety education across diverse outdoor sectors.
Additionally, Hanifl Centre conducted an ATOAI Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide Course at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi, covering essential topics such as risk management, leadership and wilderness first aid to further strengthen the adventure tourism ecosystem in India.
Hanifl Centre’s instructors also travelled to MUWCI in Pune to introduce faculty and students to wilderness first aid, fostering a culture of preparedness and safety in educational settings. Back on campus, Hanifl hosted a comprehensive nine-day WFR course that welcomed participants from the school staff, their spouses and external individuals eager to equip themselves with life-saving skills or as part of their everyday exposure to the outdoors. This was followed by a shorter two-and-a-half-day course, also held at Hanifl, catering to those seeking a condensed yet impactful training experience and included participants from various facets of the outdoor world. Hanifl director Mr Akshay Shah also hosted a walk to Jabarkhet Nature Reserve for the Board Members, General Body Members and Board Invitees present in the school.
Parallel to these initiatives, the Hanifl Centre team has been deeply involved in preparing for the upcoming Activity Week in October 2025. This large-scale event demands meticulous planning and coordination and the team has been working diligently to ensure that all logistics are in place. As part of the preparations, Hanifl Centre trained 58 school staff members in Wilderness First Aid (WFA), ensuring that the entire community is better equipped to handle emergency situations during outdoor excursions and on the hillside. This proactive approach not only enhances safety but also empowers staff with the confidence and competence to lead students and others in the field.
Overall, Hanifl Centre’s unwavering dedication to outdoor education, even during traditionally quiet periods, reflects its mission to foster resilience, leadership and safety in wilderness environments. From hosting international students to training local professionals and educators, Hanifl Centre continues to be a beacon of excellence in experiential learning and adventure preparedness.
View the latest video from Hanifl Centre: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRO-oj4CRe9/?igsh=aDU2b2RoNGo4NzJ2
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