Adversity brings the best out of you, provided you are prepared to fight, and Kalpana Dash through her sheer grit and determination proved that she is a fighter to an extreme. It was just her fighting spirit that even after her two failures to conquer the Mount Everest in 2004 and 2006, she came back stronger to scale the world’s highest peak in 2008, and this time she made sure that she hoisted the Indian Tri-colour on the Everest.
The 45-year-old Odiya mountaineer from Dhenkanal is an epitome of self belief and personifies a lady with a perfect amalgamation of mental and physical strength. All set to achieve new milestones, Kalpana, who already has the distinction of being the first Odiya to climb the Mount Everest, desires to scale new heights in her life. She now wants to climb the highest points from all the seven continents.
The expedition is on hold at present due to shortage of funds. “I was assured of money by the state government for my expedition, when I informed them about my plans. But off late the state administration is not showing any interest and stopped responding to me,” said the 45-year-old mountaineer, who is the first Indian woman and the third Indian climber to have been able to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak after raising funds privately. All the other Indian climbers, who have been able to reach the summit of the great peak, have either belonged to the armed forces or to institutes that have lent them training and financial support.
Kalpana is confident of raising the required amount of fund even if she does not get any support from the administration. “It is difficult to arrange funds all by myself, but I am confident that I would do it just like the way I did it when I scaled Mount Everest. It would take some time though but I would see it through,” added the plucky mountaineer.
Kalpana apart from being a mountaineer is also a lawyer and can be seen often in the court. She was leading a team of five mountaineers when she climbed the Everest on May 21st 2008. Prior to this attempt, she earlier had two failed attempts in the year 2006 and 2004. Both the times she failed due to health complications and unfavourable weather conditions. The first time she climbed the Everest in 2004, she could only make it to 7,300 metres without oxygen. During her second try, in 2006, despite climbing 8,048 metres, she was forced to return after entering the death zone—an area marked by oxygen scarcity, sub-zero temperatures and strong winds. But two failed attempts did not demoralise her, rather they made her stronger and filled her with zeal to climb it again and this time successfully.
“I already had two failed attempts and this time I knew that I cannot afford to fail. The conditions were hostile, but my determination helped me move on with it. It was the biggest moment of my life and would cherish till I die,” added Kalpana.
Kalpana feels that her health is at the best shape ad would like to repeat the feat but this time in all the seven continents. The gutsy lady, who before climbing the Everest used to practice at the Kapilash hills due to non availability of Mountaineering School in her state, wants to come up with a training centre in her state. She wants to set up a training centre in Koraput District near Deomali Hills or at Kapilash Hills in Dhenkanal District.
“I want to set up a training institute for young climbers. But that is possible only if the government allocates a land for me or if any corporate firm sponsors me. I initially used to practice in Kapilash hills due to non-availability of training centres in the state. It was only later that I moved to Mussoorie to join the School of Mountain Training. But then it is not possible for everyone to go there so I want a centre in the state which would help young mountaineers from the state as well as neighbouring states,” said Kalpana.
By Sanjeeb Sahoo