This month's inspiration- ARUNIMA SINHA

INSPIRATION – FOR MAY 2013 -  ARUNIMA SINHA

FIRST INDIAN AMPUTEE TO CONQUER MOUNT EVEREST

Arunima 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.

 Trained under Ms. Bachendri Pal, Chief, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) and the first Indian woman to achieve the feat, Arunima completed her expedition journey from Kathmandu to the top of the peak in 52 days. She followed Susen Mahato, another climber of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation who summited Mt. Everest on 19th May, 2013. 

In a message to Sinha, Prime Minister  Dr. Manmohan Singh said: "I am delighted and heartened to learn of the exploits of Arunima Sinha, who has just become the first Indian woman with an artificial leg to conquer Mount Everest."

"Climbing Mount Everest is a stupendous feat for any individual to attempt. Doing so after having one's leg cut off below the knee, following the trauma of an assault in a train and being thrown off it, as Arunima did, must surely count as an exceedingly rare achievement, not just on account of the physical endurance required, but also the inner courage that would have been deployed in the pursuit of such a mission," he added.

"Arunima's achievement is an example not only to society at large, but also to women everywhere. This young woman looked adversity in the eye and when all seemed lost, decided to make something of her life in the most spectacular fashion possible," he said.

"I salute her success, wish her all the best in her future endeavours and hope that her deeds will inspire millions of others," he added.

Ms. Bachendri Pal, Chief- TSAF in her congratulatory statement said “The spirit, mental strength and will power of Arunima have been exemplary which was reflected in her training. She has defied all odds and will be an inspiration for millions throughout the world.”