While setting his foot as member of the first Indian expedition team to the highest peak of the World, destiny had something else in store for Major HPS Ahluwalia.  The joy and glory of most outstanding achievement was short lived.  Four months after scaling the Mount Everest in May 1965, the call of duty compelled him to go to the Northern front to defend his motherland from the aggression of neighbouring country.  During the war he was severely wounded by gunshots in his spine, which resulted in his confinement to the wheelchair.

Since the facility to treat spinal injured was not available in India, in recognition of his services to the country, the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi sent him to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, UK for his treatment.

Under the leadership of former Prime Minister,  Shri Rajiv Gandhi, Major Ahluwalia along with other activists spearheaded the movement for the rights of the disabled.  Thus, the concept of the Act called Persons with Disabilities (1995) was conceived, drafted and passed in the Parliament granting equal opportunities and rights for the disabled.  This was a landmark event for the entire population of persons with disabilities and their families.

Realizing the needs of persons with spinal injury, Major HPS Ahluwalia with the support of his friends, set up Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi in 1997 in collaboration with the Italian Government and support from Government of India.
 
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, the President of India bestowed upon him with various awards like Padma Bushan, Padma Shri and Arjuna Award.  National Award was conferred to him by the President of India for his services for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

Despite his immobility, Major Ahluwalia has led the Silk Route Expedition, which had the approval and recognition of the Chinese Government and UNESCO.  Based on his varied interests, experiences, the lows and highs in his life, he has authored 15 books.   

Being a strong advocate for bringing about all round development and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, he has been given the responsibility of Chairmanship of Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), a statutory body under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India. 

Currently Major Ahluwalia is the President of Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF).  He has taken over from Mr. N.N. Vohra.  IMF was set up by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru after the 1st ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing to Mount Everest in 1953.  The Foundation not only sponsors and also acts as single door clearance for all foreign expeditions wanting to climb Indian Himalayas but is also work on environmental concerns.