In an awe-inspiring tale of courage, resilience, and grit, Arunima Sinha, a former national-level volleyball player, made history by becoming the world’s first female amputee to scale Mount Everest — just two years after a life-altering tragedy nearly claimed her life.
In 2011, at the age of 24, Arunima was pushed off a moving train by robbers in Uttar Pradesh while resisting a theft attempt. The horrific fall resulted in severe injuries, including the loss of her left leg below the knee after being run over by another train. Her dreams of an athletic career seemed shattered.
But what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Determined not to be defined by her disability, Arunima began training for high-altitude mountaineering with unshakeable resolve. Under the guidance of Bachendri Pal, India’s first woman to scale Everest, Arunima pursued the impossible.
On May 21, 2013, she reached the summit of Mount Everest — a feat few accomplish, and none before her had with a prosthetic leg. Her achievement became a beacon of hope for millions across the world, proving that “disability is not inability.”
Arunima has since climbed six of the world’s highest peaks across continents, earning her global accolades and recognition. She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2015 and continues to inspire as a motivational speaker and social worker.
Her story remains a testament to the power of human will and the triumph of the spirit over adversity.
