https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

From Exploring Mountaineering in LBSNAA to Participating in Expeditions to Antarctica

2012-batch IAS officer Charulata Somal developed a keen interest in mountaineering during her training period in LBSNAA, Mussoorie.
Indian Masterminds Stories

When Ms. Charulata Somal came to LBSNAA for training, the scenic view of the Himalayas from the institute in Mussorie mesmerised her. And as the foundation course for civil service officer trainees in this institute includes hiking and trekking drills, she fell in love with the mountains and developed a keen interest in mountaineering.

This interest did not end for the 2012-batch IAS officer after the foundation course was completed. In fact, it was just the beginning of a whole new chapter of her life that would take her to the Antarctica, not once but thrice! Indian Masterminds spoke to the officer to know more about these expeditions.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY

Ms Charulata Somal, who is currently serving as the DC of Chamarajnagar, Karnataka, comes from the financial capital of India, Mumbai. She did her graduation from St. Stephens in Delhi and sat for the UPSC exam straight after college. She managed to clear the CSE 2011 to become an IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

When Ms. Somal was inducted into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), she had no prior background of environment science or any particular interest in that field, as she did her honours in economics during graduation. However, the interest she developed during her training period grew so strong that it led her to an opportunity to be part of an expedition to Antarctica with renowned polar explorer and environmentalist, Robert Swan, just a couple of years after she was inducted into IAS.

Ms. Charulata Somal, IAS

Recalling the experience, Ms. Somal, who has done a basic mountaineering course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, told Indian Masterminds, “In 2015, I got to know about a yearly expedition to the Antarctica in the West Antarctic Peninsula, led by Robert Swan, through a friend. As I got to know more about Sir Robert Swan and his mission to preserve the Antarctica, it intrigued me more to take part in this expedition.”

ABOUT ROBERT SWAN

Robert Swan is the first person in the world to have walked to both the North and South Poles. After seeing firsthand the effects of climate change, Swan dedicated himself to protecting Antarctica and our planet at large. Ms. Somal said, “During his walk to the North and South Pole in the 1980s, Robert himself experienced the first-hand effects of climate change and subsequent to it in 1990s he became the ambassador for the conservation and preservation of Antarctica working through the Antarctic treaty of 1961 and Montreal Protocol of 1991.”

IAS officer Charulata Somal with renowned environmentalist Robert Swan

It was Swan’s original expedition to the South Pole that was the inspiration for 2041 Foundation, an organisation he founded and dedicated to the preservation of the polar regions. The mission of the 2041 Foundation is to engage businesses and communities on climate science, personal leadership, and the promotion of sustainable practices.

EXPEDITION EXPERIENCE

The first ever expedition experience Ms. Somal had was in 2016 when she went to the West Antarctic Peninsula. She was one of the 140 members from 30 countries to go on the Antarctic expedition. There were 17 Indians in the team, including her. She was, however, the only IAS officer at that group.

Exploring Antarctica

“Subsequent to that”, she said, “as a part of his continued work in Antartica, Robert had planned on walking to the pole using only renewable energy. For this preparation, he needed a test expedition team. This is how in the same year, I got a chance to go to Antarctica again to the Union Glacier Basecamp, and I was the only participant from India who was included in that small team. There we got some insight into how polar expeditions are undertaken.”

Wildlife in the snow-covered continent
The beautiful Antarctica

Ms. Somal went to the Antarctica for the third time recently and returned in March this year. She might not have done something concrete related to climate change in her individual capacity, while holding a position of an IAS officer in Karnataka, but her experiences and overall contributions in all these three expeditions drew attention, and added, to environmentalist Robert Swan’s mission to preserve the Antarctica.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT