Premlata Agarwal – First India Women To Conquer Seven Summits

Premlata Agarwal, a homemaker who became a Mountaineer, is the perfect example for “Age is just a number”.  Premlata is the first Indian woman to have climbed all the seven highest summits across the globe. Being a housewife and mother of two daughters didn’t stop her from conquering the Mountains.

 It all started when Premlata Agarwal took her daughters to the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, for their tennis training. She came across a poster about Dalma hill Trek( a small hill on the outskirts of Jamshedpur) contest that is being organized by the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation. Even though she was 35 years old, she made up her mind to participate in it. Much to her surprise, she stood 3rd among the 500 people who participated.

 Following her win, when she visited Tata Steel Adventure Foundation to collect her Certificate, she was awed by the pictures of legendary Bachendri Pal’s Himalayan journeys. At that instance,  she decided she wanted her daughters to get into an adventure sport. But after meeting legendary Bachendri Pal her perception changed and she herself got into adventure sports.

Mountaineering Journey of Premlata Agarwal

After 2 years, Premlata started her mountaineering career at 37 under the guidance of Bachendri Pal. In the year 2000, she completed her basic mountaineering course. After that, she  kept on going for treks and expeditions with Bachendri Pal and others every year,

Further, Bachendri Pal helped Premlata get a sponsorship deal from Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and guided her throughout her journey.

 In the year 2008, she went to an all women’s expedition to Kilimanjaro with Bachendri pal and she treasures this as one of her best and that made her go to the next level in Mountaineering. While they were getting down Bachendri told Prem “ that she thinks Prem was ready to attempt Mount Everest, as she has all the abilities to summit Everest”.And these words from the legend motivated Premlata and laid the foundation for her successful mountaineering venture.

In 2011, Premlata climbed  Mt Everest at the age of 48, but her journey didn’t just stop at Everest as she went on to climb the highest peaks of the seven continents. 

Premlata Agarwal was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2017 for her great achievements in mountaineering.

Premlata is planning for her next venture and is getting ready to unfurl the Tricolour in the South Pole and the North Pole.

Her story is a great inspiration for all of us who set out to achieve their goals.  Her story is proof that tells us” Age is just a number, and if you are ready to work hard in perseverance all your dreams will come true for sure”.

Also, read: A Tea-seller Couple Traveled The World.

Checkout:  Premlata’s Profile