Pran sponsors mountaineer Shakil’s historic sea to Himalayas expedition
Ikramul Hasan Shakil's ultimate goal is to summit the 29,031-ft peak of Mount Everest, traversing on foot around 1,300 kilometres across Bangladesh, India, and Nepal
Mountaineer Ikramul Hasan Shakil has launched a mission to set a world record by conquering Mount Everest, walking from the sea beach in the shortest time possible and covering the longest distance.
Pran, the country's leading food brand, is the main sponsor of the ambitious "Sea to Summit" expedition. Its popular noodle brand, Mr Noodles, has also partnered as the official snacks sponsor for the journey.
Shakil, who is already celebrated as the first Bangladeshi to complete the Great Himalayan Trail, unveiled the detailed plan for his mission at a press conference in Gulshan, Dhaka today (9 March).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The "Sea to Summit" expedition began on 25 February from Inani Beach in Cox's Bazar. Since then, Shakil has trekked on foot and reached Dhaka as part of his 90-day journey.
His ultimate goal is to summit the 29,031-feet peak of Mount Everest, traversing around 1,300 kilometres across Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
Shakil aims to surpass the record set by Australian mountaineer Tim McCartney, who climbed Everest from Gangasagar (the confluence of the Ganges River and the Bay of Bengal) in 1990, taking over three months to complete the journey.
Shakil plans to cover an additional 100 kilometres and achieve the feat six days faster, setting a new benchmark in mountaineering history.
During the press conference, Shakil emphasised the broader mission of his expedition, which includes raising awareness about sustainable solutions to plastic pollution, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting environmental conservation.
He expressed gratitude to Pran for their unwavering support, stating, "When I was seeking sponsorship for this mission, Pran Group stepped forward without hesitation."
"Pran Group has consistently encouraged the youth in various fields, including sports. If more organisations like Pran come forward, it will inspire the younger generation to achieve even greater milestones for Bangladesh," he added.
Kamruzzaman Kamal, director (marketing) of Pran-RFL Group, said, "It is a matter of immense pride for Pran to sponsor such a remarkable initiative by a young Bangladeshi mountaineer. There is no greater joy than seeing the Bangladesh flag fly atop the world's highest peak, and Pran is honoured to be a part of this historic journey."
The expedition is organised by the Bangla Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC), with additional support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Maklu-e-Traders Nepal, and Sistema Toothbrush as associate sponsors.
The press conference was attended by notable figures, including BMTC Founder Inam Al Haque; BMTC President and two-time Everest summiteer MA Muhith; UNDP Head of Communications Abdul Qayyum; Marketing Director of Lion Kallol Limited (Sistema Toothbrush) Tanmoy Duttagupta; and General Manager of Mr Noodles Toshan Pal.
