Mount Everest climber Swarnalata Dalai (20) of Jagadihavillage under Kimbhiripala Gram Panchayat in Jajpur district received a grand welcome in her village on Sunday.
She thanked her sponsor Tata Steel, parents and trainers for their contribution to her success. She was felicitated by Sukinda MlA Pritiranjan Ghadai and others.
Before she heads to her village, Swaralata was also welcomed at Chandikhola, Panikoili , Jaraka and other places.
At Jagadiha all residents had come out to greet the pride of the village. Women welcomed the procession with traditional aarthi. “We knew she excelled in mountaineering and was winning many events. But we did not foresee she would scale this great height,” said Sangram Jena, a villager.
“My daughter showed extraordinary strength to overcome odds,” said Swarnalata’s father Maheswar.
“I along with Poonam Rana and Sandeep Toliya of Uttarkhand took four days to reach Mount Everest. I was delighted the moment I stepped my shoes on the peak on Monday. I took keen interest on mountaineering thanks to the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF). I along with other mountaineers had been undergoing training at the TSAF under the guidelines of noted mountaineer Bachendri Pal since more than a year. In February this year, we were sent to Mt. Aconcagua in South America as part of their training to provide them with climbing experience with international climbers,” revealed Swarnalata.
“In 2017, I had participated in Mt Rudugaira Expedition under the Biju Patnaik Himalayan Expedition which helped me to get selected in the Mt. Everest Expedition 2018,” she added.