Malavath Purna, a 13-year-old tribal student from Nizamabad district in Andhra Pradesh, created history on Sunday by becoming the youngest girl in the world to scale the Mount Everest.
She pitched the Indian flag at 6.00am and was closely followed by Sadanapalli Anand, a 17-year-old student from Khammam district.
This is the first time that two poor tribal students from remote areas of Andhra Pradesh braved one of the world's most unfriendly terrains. Anand and Purna are both students of Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Schools (APSWRS).
Celebrations erupted in Nizamabad and Khammam districts following their achievement.
Purna and Anand were handpicked for the expedition by APSWRS. The society took up the programme to encourage young tribal students from backward and inaccessible areas. Purna is a student of class IX in Thadwai APSWRS. Her parents are daily wage workers. Extremely good in studies and extracurricular activities, she grabbed the opportunity by undergoing a four-stage screening test.
Last year, APSWRS authorities picked up two students from each of 299 residential schools across the state and selected 108 talented students after a training course held in Bhongir of Nalgonda district. In the screening test only 20 students were shortlisted. They were trained at Darjeeling Himalayan Mountaineering Institute between October 26 and November 16.
During the training programme, Purna got 'A' grade by climbing Kanchenjunga and she was finally selected for the Everest. She along with Anand began the hike on April 4 from Kathmandu.
"We are happy that our girl has set the world record. We know she will go places. She is not only bright in academics, but also in adventure," Purna's parents told TOI. Her brother Naresh said he too would conquer the Everest one day.
Tribal residential schools society secretary RN Praveen Kumar said the students had proved that given the opportunity and training, students from poor and backward families too can excel in their lives.
This is the first time that two poor tribal students from remote areas of Andhra Pradesh braved one of the world's most unfriendly terrains. Anand and Purna are both students of Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Schools (APSWRS).
Celebrations erupted in Nizamabad and Khammam districts following their achievement.
Purna and Anand were handpicked for the expedition by APSWRS. The society took up the programme to encourage young tribal students from backward and inaccessible areas. Purna is a student of class IX in Thadwai APSWRS. Her parents are daily wage workers. Extremely good in studies and extracurricular activities, she grabbed the opportunity by undergoing a four-stage screening test.
Last year, APSWRS authorities picked up two students from each of 299 residential schools across the state and selected 108 talented students after a training course held in Bhongir of Nalgonda district. In the screening test only 20 students were shortlisted. They were trained at Darjeeling Himalayan Mountaineering Institute between October 26 and November 16.
During the training programme, Purna got 'A' grade by climbing Kanchenjunga and she was finally selected for the Everest. She along with Anand began the hike on April 4 from Kathmandu.
"We are happy that our girl has set the world record. We know she will go places. She is not only bright in academics, but also in adventure," Purna's parents told TOI. Her brother Naresh said he too would conquer the Everest one day.
Tribal residential schools society secretary RN Praveen Kumar said the students had proved that given the opportunity and training, students from poor and backward families too can excel in their lives.
==================================================================================