Founded by Legendary mountaineer Ms Bachendri Pal, first Indian woman to climb Mt Everest on May 23, 1984. The genesis of the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation lie in the support of JRD Tata, an intrepid adventurer himself, to Bachendri Pal’s desire to summit Mount Everest. On her return she gifted him the flag she had taken with her to the summit, he responded by inviting her to establish the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) in 1984. Having grown up in the days of heroic aviators, J R D Tata’s metaphor for unbridled ambition was his flight of fancy from Bombay to Karachi in the Puss Moth. The metaphor of excellence for Ms Bachendri Pal was to climb Mount Everest. The multidisciplinary approach of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation along with its wide range of activities allows people from all walks of life and all ages to choose their own metaphor for self-discovery. The search for individual self-discovery can be triggered by wide ranging aspirations such as thrill, zeal, personality development, gaining confidence or self-belief, establishing a unique identity, stress reduction, goal setting, challenges, rigour, a sense of achievement or position in society. For those working in teams a set of attitudes is desired - self-confidence, trust in colleagues, a participative exercise of authority, a readiness to act, a willingness to lead and inspire teamwork, the capability to change, the eagerness to take responsibility and the ability to delegate. Adventure Sports fulfills both individual aspirations as well as shapes attitudes through positive and powerful emotional experiences. The programmes of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation ensure that regardless of age, health status, economic background, profession or skill level every individual can participate.
