Andhra teenager Poorna is on the top of the world, conquers Mount Everest

Hyderabad: Apart from poverty, Poorna and Anand had overcome a tough three-level test before qualifying for the climb. And, last month, while they were on the mountain, an avalanche claimed the lives of 16 climbers. However, they decided to go ahead with the climb.

“I spoke to Poorna today morning over satellite phone. She said she is on the top of the world and very excited. She told me that she cannot speak for more than 2-3 minutes as she was wearing an oxygen mask,” said Dr R.K. Praveen Kumar, secretary of the APSWREI Society. The duo were determined to conquer the Mt Everest even after an avalanche last month, which claimed 16 lives.

“I will climb Mount Everest and after I am back, I am going to be an IPS officer,” Poorna had said previously

“Operation Everest” was planned by then principal secretary of social welfare Raymond Peter and Dr Praveen Kumar. Mr Kumar signed an MoU with the Transcend Adventure Mountaineering School to take the students to the peak.

B.Shekhar Babu, who has scaled the Everest twice before, was roped in to train the students. In the first phase, 110 students of residential schools were provided basic training at the Bhongir Rock Climbing School for a week.

Ten girls and 10 boys were selected for training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling in West Bengal. In the third phase, 3 girls and 6 boys were sent to Leh-Ladakh. Following this, Poorna and Anand were selected for the Everest. They began their expedition on April 10 with requisite permission from Chinese government for trekking via the North route.

“A historic record has been set by these two proving that they are not inferior to anyone. Poverty is no barrier to the underprivileged if opportunities are provided to them. They have brought glory and honour to the country as well as to our institutions,” Dr Kumar remarked.