The height of her spirit for adventure reached a crescendo as ace woman mountaineer, Premlata Agrawal marked her imprint atop Alaska’s McKinley Peak and planted the Indian Tricolor as completion to scaling the Seven Continental Peaks on May 23.
With this, she became the first Indian woman mountaineer to step on the highest peak of North America. She was felicitated for this momentous achievement on her return to India, here in the capital on Friday.
On each of the seven continents, there is one peak that stands above the rest. The Seven Summits present different challenges that have to be overcome with extreme and testing fortitude. Summiting all of them is regarded as one of the world’s biggest mountaineering challenge. Seven Summits has been the dream of many climbers, but only a few have succeeded. Premlata now proudly belongs to this group.
Speaking on her triumphant return, Premlata Agrawal said, “I am extremely proud to have accomplished this achievement on behalf of my country and all the women who live here with courage and determination. This experience has again taught me that if you have the will and focus, no matter where you come from, you can conquer the world.”
Also present on the occasion and the key facilitator for her homecoming was Member of Parliament, Ajay Kumar from Jamshedpur (Jharkhand); belonging to Premlata’s family’s hometown. Dr. Kumar said, “Premlata has been a reason for us at Jharkhand to be proud since a long time. She is now a source of inspiration to all and I’d like to offer her our deepest respect and congratulations.”
The unassuming housewife who ventured out of the kitchen to give shape to all mountaineers’ greatest dream, worked towards her passion for heights starting at the age of 35 when she undertook the Dalma (hill) trek 13 years ago.
That was the starting point that led to the now famous Thar Camel Expedition, the ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro before setting foot on the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest, on May 20, 2011. This feat provided her the vision to want to plant the Tri-colour on all the Continental Peaks - The Seven Summits.
Ace mountaineer and the first Indian woman to scale Mt Everest, Bachendri Pal and Tata Steel have played a key role in discovering and encouraging Premlata’s talent to be able to achieve success via rigorous training and mental coaching.
Just before Premlata embarked on the ascent of McKinley Peak to cap off her Seven Continental Peaks’ successful climbs, the Government of India awarded her with the Padmashree Honour for her trail-blazing achievements.