City-based international level mountaineer Padmashree Premlata Agarwal has been selected for the prestigious Tenzing Norgay Adventure Awards this year. The 54-year-old will receive the honour from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on August 29, on the occasion of National Sports Day.
The Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award conferred by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is the highest national recognition for outstanding achievements in the field of adventure on land, sea and air. A cash Award of Rs five lakh and a certificate of honour is given to each awardee.
"I am really happy to be selected for the award. I would like to thank Tata Steel and my mentor Bachendri Pal. In fact Tata Steel inspired me to inspire others," said Premlata Agarwal.
Agrawal was encouraged by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation to take up Adventure Sports in the year 2000. Thereafter she participated in several programmes organised by TSAF including major Indian women expeditions led by Bachendri Pal. A mother of two daughters, Premlata has taken the challenge of adventure sports with great courage and alacrity, and in the process inspired millions.
She scaled Mt Everest (29,029ft) in Asia, Mt Kilimanjaro (19,334ft) in Africa, Mt Aconcagua in Argentina (22,960ft), Mt Elbrus (18,510) in Russia and Mt Carstensz in Indonesia.
Premlata’s climb to the top of the world was not a cakewalk. In fact, her glorious success was riddled with thorny heartbreaks that could have chilled the strongest mental toughness and physical ability.
The Island Peak Expedition in Nepal (20,600 ft) in 2004, The Karakoram Pass Expedition (18,300 ft) and Mt. Stok Kangri (20,150 ft) in 2006, The First “Indian Woman’s Thar Desert Expedition” in 2007 which involved a 40- day Camel Safari along the International Border from Bhuj in Gujarat— Rann of Kutch— Thar in Rajasthan, up to Wagah Border in Punjab. These achievements were also recognised as a National Record and found her a place in the limca Book of Records. Premlata, a homemaker and mother of two grown up daughters, started climbing mountains at the age of 35.