Premlata becomes oldest Indian woman to scales Mt Everest

Kolkata, May 20 : Premlata Agarwal has become oldest Indian woman to scale Mt Everest when she unfurled the national tri-colour atop the world tallest summit from the conventional route from Nepal side today, a report reaching here said.
The 45-year-old lady also become first  person from Jharkhand climb the 8848 mts peak at 0935 hrs."This is a moment of victory for Ms Agarwal and for Tata Steel that has supported her at each step to the summit," a Tata Steel release said.Premlata’s preparations for the final summit push began on May 6, when she went from Base Camp (18000ft) to C2 (Camp 2 at 22,000 ft) and then she climbed to C3 (Camp 3 at 23,000ft where she had to use artificial oxygen).

She then reached C4 (Camp 4, South Col 26000 ft) yesterday and took rest before beginning her final climb towards the summit at around 1100 hours.

Before climbing Mt Everest, Ms Agarwal also undertook a climbing exercise to Island Peak (20,300 ft) in the Everest Region to acclimatise herself completely.

A mother of two daughters, one of whom is married, Premlata started her actual climb from Base Camp on April 17, 2011.

Thereafter, she has been going to higher camps and coming down again. To get acclimatised with such major expeditions.

Congratulating Ms Agarwal and the entire team of Tata Steel, Mr Sanjiv Paul, Vice President (Corporate Services), Tata Steel, said, ''This is a proud moment for all of us. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Premlata for having achieved this feat and especially to Bachendri Pal for having trained and supported her all the way.'' Ms Pal was the first Indian lady to have climbed Mt Everest in 1985.

 

                                                                                                                                                     --UNI