In a stellar show of indomitable spirit, Arunima Sinha became the first woman in the world to conquer Mount Everest with prosthetic legs, when she successfully climbed the world’s highest peak Tuesday.
The 26-year-old scaled the peak at 10.55 a.m. carrying the tri-colour. The achievement coincides with the 60th anniversary of the first conquest of the Mt Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay May 29, 1953.
Groomed by the first Indian woman to scale Mt. Everest Bachendri Pal at the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) in Uttar Kashi, Arunima completed her expedition journey from Kathmandu to the top of the peak in 52 days.
She followed Susen Mahato, another climber of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation who summited Mt. Everest May 19.
Arunima, born at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh July 20, 1986, is an ex-volleyball player at the national level. She lost both her legs in a railway accident in 2011.
Tata Steel has sponsored the expedition and provided all necessary training and mentorship for the challenging journey.
Congratulating Arunima, Bachendri Pal said: “Her spirit, mental strength and will-power have been exemplary. She has defied all odds and will be an inspiration for millions throughout the world.”