It was the first successful civilian expedition to the Everest, and most importantly, the first this mountaineering season. The expedition commemorated the golden jubilee year of the Indian Independence. There was another round of applause as the team members came up on the stage for the formal felicitation function. A short film of the expedition was shown and the team leader Rishikesh Yadav thanked the people for their overwhelming support. He said of the many benefits of mountaineering, the most important was the feeling of nationalistic pride it evoked. ``It's a great feeling to climb the highest summit for the cause of the nation. And we did that. We unfurled thetricolour on the highest peak in the world.'' He thanked the entire nation for the financial and emotional support given to the team. He said the pre-expedition rallies in different states were well-attended and in places like Hyderabad, even burkha-clad women joined the enthusiasts in signing the flag which was to be carried to the Everest. Surendra Chavan, who reached the peak (8,848 metres) on May 18, said it was an experience that could not be described in words. ``When I realised that I had made it, I called up the base camp. But, I could not speak due to excitement...I hung up and then tried to regain by composure,'' he said, and added he could do it because he had the will to do it. ``I kept thinking about the difficulties faced by our freedom fighters. My job was certainly less risky than theirs. And this feeling saw me through.''