Journey from Railway tracks to Mt. Everest; Hailing Arunima Sinha

Arunima Sinha, this name was unheard of before the end of the last month. But, now she is the epitome of courage and inspiration. Arunima became the first woman amputee to conquer Mt. Everest on May 21, 2013. This, after she had lost a leg in April, 2011 when she was thrown off a train by a gang of chain snatchers. She was also a national level volleyball player. She then spent few months in All India Institute of Medical Sciences for her treatment and was provided with a prosthetic leg by a private Delhi based Indian Company.

During her treatment she resolved to climb Mt. Everest taking inspirations from Yuvraj Singh who had successfully battled cancer. She excelled in the basic mountaineering course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, and was encouraged by her elder brother Omprakash to climb Everest with a prosthetic leg. She took training under Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest. She also climbed Island Peak (6150 metres) to prepare for Everest. After undergoing various training methods and procedures, she finally reached the summit of Everest on May 21, 2013. It took 52 days for her to complete the summit and create history. Many prominent politicians and ministers congratulated her and showered her with awards and prizes.

Looking back at her condition in 2011, No one really thought that she could scale the Everest but this is what determination and hard work can do to a person. I was particularly impressed with the way she trained; clocking hours after hours. This surely is a tale of hard work, determination and grit. Many aspiring sportsmen/mountaineers can take heart from this effort. A woman achieving this feat in a country where they are not safe is exemplary and commendable. This effort also shows that a woman need not look elsewhere for inspiration and support; if it comes from within then no one can stop them from reaching the pinnacle.  

Need to bring these stories of courage, tenacity and perseverance in the public eye to bring about a change that could cross the boundaries of conservatism and patriarchy.