Maitri - Indian Expedition to Antarctica

MAITRI Maitri is India's second permanent research station in Antarctica. It was built and finished in 1989, shortly before the first station Dakshin Gangotri was buried in ice and abandoned in 1990-91. Maitri is situated on the rocky mountainous region called Schirmacher Oasis. “Maitri” Base was established in March 1989 after the first Indian Station Dakshin Gangotri became buried in ice. "Maitri" is built on adjustable telescopic legs and has 25 single occupancy rooms as well as research, supply, power and general purpose buildings. It is located on the East Antarctic mainland south of Capetown and 90 nautical miles from the usual Antarctic coastline. It is only 5 km away from the Russian Novolazarevskaya Station. Each year it is supplied by a chartered ship which also brings chartered helicopters. For the 2000-2001 season it was announced that the German ice-strengthened vessel "Magdalena Oldendorff" would be the support vessel for the 20th Indian Antarctic Expedition. It departed Capetown on the 31st December, 2000 bound for the Antarctic continent taking the Indian Expedition led by the Geologist Marvin D'Souza. Her establishment included two New Zealand Helicopters Ltd aircraft and New Zealand and Indian aircrew.
FACILITIES :-
The station has modern facilities to carry out research in various disciplines, such as biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, cold region engineering, communication, human physiology and medicine. It has a capacity to accommodate 25 people for winter. Fresh water is provided through a fresh water lake named Lake Priyadarshini, in front of Maitri.
MILESTONES :-
India's commitment to polar science can be summarized by the following milestones:
19 August 1983: India was admitted to the Antarctic Treaty and soon thereafter obtained Consultative Status.
1983: The permanent station Dakshin Gangotri was built, where the first Wintering was conducted. 1 October 1984: India was admitted as a