We are delighted to inform you that Motup has been conferred with Padma Shri which was announced on India’s Republic Day in January. Think the equivalent of an MBE …

The Padma Awards are one of India’s highest civilian honours and are conferred in various fields of activities, including trade and industry. The Padma Shri award is given for distinguished service and has been given to Motup as an entrepreneur and for his unstinting efforts in helping develop Ladakh.

YRC members have trekked many times with Rimo Expeditions, the eco-friendly adventure company he founded with his wife Yangdu and we take great pleasure in Motup’s company when he has been free to trek with us, his attentive crew practicing ‘Leave No Trace’ camping.

As founder and race director of the Leh Marathon, Motup has put tremendous efforts into its development year on year and it has become recognised as a world-class event. The main objective behind these races, was to create a real platform for the youth of Ladakh to show their potential in long-distance running, and nourish the local economy, as they bring in an influx of tourists in the lean month of September.

What you might not know is that under Motup’s direction, Rimo Expeditions’ guides have collectively rescued hundreds of people when climate-change-triggered disasters have struck northern India over a number of years.

Furthermore, Motup is the current President of the prestigious Himalayan Club and you can read his inaugural speech here which sets out some of the challenges faced by mountain communities.

All of us in the YRC warmly congratulate Motup on this well-deserved award and look forward to even greater achievements. Take a look at this video to see what he has achieved in Leh with the Leh Marathon, shot against the stunning scenery of Ladakh.