Arunima Sinha, a former national level volleyball player who had lost her left leg after being thrown off a moving train by chain-snatchers, created history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount Everest.
Sinha (25), reached the summit of the highest peak in the world at 10.55 am on Tuesday, as a member of the Eco Everest Expedition from the Tata Group, an official of the Tourism Ministry of Nepal said.
Sinha was sponsored by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF). She underwent a rigorous training at TSAF camp in Uttarkashi for one year under the guidance of Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to conquer Mt Everest.
Congratulating Arunima for achieving the rare feat, Bachendri Pal said, “The spirit, mental strength and will power of Arunima have been exemplary which was reflected in her training. She has defied all odds.”
TSAF manager PP Kapadia said: “We congratulate Arunima for her successful in bringing laurels to the country. We are yet to get in touch with her.”
Sinha, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, was pushed out of the general compartment of Padmawati Express for resisting a chain-snatching attempt by some criminals, while travelling from lucknow to Delhi on April 12, 2011. She was hit by a passing train and was seriously injured. She was hospitalised with serious leg and pelvic injuries and in a bid to save her life, doctors had to amputate her left leg below the knee.
Arunima completed her expedition journey from Kathmandu to the top of the peak in 52 days. In the past, Arunima Sinha successfully climbed Mt Chhamser Kangri, 21,110 feet, with three other teammates on September 3, 2012 after training for months.
Five Indians apart from amputee climber Arunima Sinha conquered Mount Everest. The trekkers Anita Devi, Susen Mahato, lovraj Singh Dharamshaktu, Kanta Devi and Ramala reached the top of the world, said a release by the Asian Trekking Pvt ltd.