New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Padma Shri recipient and founder of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre Major HPS Ahluwalia passed away on Friday evening.

He was 85.

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Ahluwalia was a retired army officer, a trained mountaineer, author and social worker "who has contributed immensely in various fields including adventure, sports, environment, disability and social work", said a statement.

As a professional mountaineer, he was one of the first Indians to conquer Mount Everest. He has written over 13 books including his autobiography Higher Than Everest, it said

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Major Ahluwalia has also been a former president of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and the Delhi Mountaineering Association.

He was honoured with the country's most prestigious awards - Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award. He also received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.

He is survived by his wife, Bholi Ahluwalia and daughter Sugandh Ahluwalia.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)