After conquering Kilimanjaro, Amita sets her sights on Everest

Raipur: After scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in 2021, Amita, an anganwadi worker from Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa, is now gearing up to take on Mount Everest, with plans to unfurl the Tricolour atop the world's highest peak. She will leave for Kathmandu on April 9 to begin the expedition, marking a significant step in her journey from modest beginnings to high-altitude mountaineering, built on years of training, determination and a drive to carve her own path.The Janjgir-Champa native will leave for Kathmandu on April 9 to begin her everest expedition, marking a significant step in her mountaineering journey and placing Chhattisgarh on the global adventure map."Most people follow the same path, but I decided to carve my own," said Amita who is an aganwadi worker. It was this mindset that led her to choose mountaineering — a demanding and unconventional field — with the aim of bringing pride to her home district Janjgir-Champa and Chhattisgarh.Amita's upcoming expedition builds on her earlier feat of conquering Kilimanjaro, with her endurance and commitment to high-altitude climbing.Despite coming from a modest background, she has set her sights on unfurling the Tricolour atop the world's highest peak through sheer determination, hard work and passion. Amid limited resources, I have been putting in rigorous effort and undergoing specialised training to turn her dream into reality, she said.Amita began her mountaineering journey in 2018, starting with a rock-climbing course at a govt institute in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Gradually, she advanced in the field by participating in various training programmes. Like other disciplines, mountaineering also involves written, oral and practical examinations, and certifications are awarded only after successfully clearing all stages, she said.During her training, Amita has climbed to altitudes of around 5,500 metres in the mountainous regions of West and North Sikkim. She has also scaled the well-known Uttarakhand peak Utt Kangri, further strengthening her credentials as a high-altitude climber. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Amita at his Raipur residence, calling her expedition a symbol of the state's aspirations, courage and self-belief. He said her journey reflects how determination can make even the highest peaks attainable.Sai said Amita's achievements serve as an inspiration for the youth, especially girls, who break barriers and excel across fields.