The adventure trekking programmes of Youth Hostel Association of India started in early 1970 are highly popular with participants of all age groups who are interested in experiencing treks in all areas of India and foothills of the Himalayas. YHAI have been conducting successful trekking, sailing and mountainbiking programmes for all enthusiasts at a very affordable cost creating a awareness of our heritage, regions , places, cultural heritage and people of various states of our Nation. It is also conducting well planned and organised treks in high altitude regions of the Himalayan range with voluntary participation from experienced trekkers as Camp leaders and Field Directors in the events. Daily batches of around 50 participants arrive at base camps of all arranged programmes and undergo acclimatisation and stay at tented accomodation  with nutritious vegetarian food and then embark for higher camps treking around 8 to 10 kilometres every day. The highlights of the trek are the thrilling experience of beautiful flora and fauna enroute and the crossing over of the snowbound passes. The trekkers return to base camp by a circuitous route and the trek culminating with distribution of certificate of participation. It ais a great opportunity for the citizens of our country to network with those from other states generating a lifetime bond and friendship.

Of late a few unfortunate incidents due to sudden weather changes and hypothermia at high altitudes have occured due to which the Organisation Committee has put a ceiling on the participants age at 65 years. 

This decision is preventing veteran able bodied Senior Trekkers of higher age from participating in the programme which is totally unjustified as age has nothing to do with a person's ability to engage in such programmes after providing certificate for medical fitness from a registered medical practitioner and are depriving us from engaging in a healthy lifestyle and networking with the youth of our nation in sharing past experiences for whom we can be model trekkers and benchmark for participation.

We request the YHAI Organising Committe  its CEO, the National Chairman Shri S. Venkat Narayan  and Shri Manoj Joshi Chairman of Adventure Committee to revoke this decision and allow all able bodied Senior Trekkers above the age of 65 years to participate in these programmes. 

We appeal to all the citizens of our Nation the Sports Minister and the Prime Minister Office to support our cause and sign this petition with a show of respect to the Senior Citizens of our country who have led in making it a Globally recognised Nation.