On the Summit Poorna Malavath
Motivational Story
On the
Summit Poorna Malavath may look fragile but she has nerves of steel. At 13, she became the youngest girl in the world to climb Mount Everest on May 25, 2014. By scaling the highest peak, she has proved that the girls from the marginalized communities can achieve summit of excellence. She recounts her Himalayan experience with Igniting Minds.
M
y parents are farm workers from Pakala village in Nizamabad district. I studied in our village school till fifth grade and went to government boarding school for further studies.
My Everest story can be traced to September 2013, when I was in ninth standard. A rock climbing training camp was announced at Bhongir. Two students from our school -- Ravali and I were selected for a five-day training camp. I’m involved in sporting activities and used to play volleyball and kabaddi. That’s why they have selected me for the camp.
Bhongir Rock Climbing Camp The very sight of a huge mountain at Bhongir was terrifying. I wondered whether I could climb the 700-feet high mountain. Till then I was not aware of rock climbing. We were trained in rock climbing techniques by none other than Sekhar Babu, who scaled Everest from the Chinese side, and Parmesh Kumar. Slowly I learnt the tricks of the trade and achieved ‘A’ plus grade in rock climbing.
Out of 110 students, 20 were selected for Darjeeling camp for acclimating with weather conditions of the Himayalas. This was possible after Dr R S Praveen Kumar, an IPS officer took over as the Secretary of Social Welfare Schools. We have witnessed a sea change in education, food and sports arena. He is an inspiration to all of us. I wish to follow him and become an IPS officer.
Darjeeling Camp It was for the first time I saw snow at Darjeeling. I have never imagined it before and felt heavenly while walking in the snow. The trainers from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) were reluctant to train us. They were apprehensive that we were too young for the expedition. Our trainers requested them to give us a chance. They tested our endurance and stamina as we used to jog 10 to 15 km every day and practiced climbing. The HMI trainers, Jyothishi, Ghamshyam and two others, were instrumental in honing our skills.
Ladakh Camp After 20 days, nine members from the team were selected for a 15-day camp at Ladakh. Our trainers wanted us to undergo training in extreme weather conditions as temperature dips below - 35 degree centigrade at Ladakh. There we learnt how to pitch the tents and adjust to life at sub zero temperature. Out of nine members, Sadhanapalli Anand Kumar from Khamman district and I were selected for a special a three-month training to be held at Gowlidoddi social welfare school near Hyderabad. We used to jog 25 km, do physical exercises and meditate every day so that were physically and mentally fit. Sekhar Babu, Parmesh Kumar and Yoga guru Venugopal imparted training to us. Before we set out, the officials called our parents and sought their permission for the Everest expedition. They told them about the risks involved in the journey. My mother was reluctant to let me go, but my father encouraged me to join the expedition. I was told that one could die during the trip and their bodies can’t be recovered from the valleys down below. Without any negative thoughts, I decided to join the team. Our team leader Sekhar Babu climbed the Everest from the Tibetan side. So, he decided to follow the Chinese route as authorities permitted mountaineers under 16 to climb the Everest.
Poorna team took the Northeast ridge or North Col Route to Mount Everest.
We reached camp 1 on May 22 (7,100 m), camp 2 (7,700 m) on May 23 and camp 3 (8,300 m) on May 24. I was reluctant to climb further as I felt exhausted but my trainers insisted that we had to climb overnight and reach the Summit next day.
On top of the World
Expedition Begins On April 6, 2014, we left Hyderabad for the Himalayas. We reached the base camp on April 14. This was a preparatory camp for climbers. Our 15-member team included 4 climbers, a team leader, a doctor, 7 Sherpas and 2 cooks. I learnt that my guide was lucky to climb the Everest 17 times. On way to advance base camp, my stomach was upset as I could not adjust to weather and food. The food smelled awful as we have to take packaged food and dry fruits. We reached the advance camp on May 20. We had to climb in a single path. It is like walking on bunds of the farms. Any misstep could cost our lives. The toughest climb was from the advance camp to camp 1 (6,400 to 7,100 metres above sea level). It was steep climb and lasted 7 to 8 hours. One should carry 6-7 oxygen cylinders weighing 25 kg as breathing gets difficult at higher altitude.
Poorna with her mother Lakshmi and father Devidas Malavath.
‘In early hours of May 25 we reached the Everest summit (8,848 m). It was the happiest moment in my life. I felt that I had accomplished my goal. So many people had faith in me -our secretary, my parents, trainers, school staff, and others. I am grateful to all those people who extended support to me during the 52-day journey. My joy knew no bounds after I learnt that I was the youngest girl in the world to scale the Everest. On our return journey, we met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi, where he felicitated and congratulated us. ‘I shall never give up.’ This is one of the 10 commandments of SWAEROES. I used to recall it whenever I had self doubts and remember our motto -- sky is the limit.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with teenaged mountaineers Poorna Malavath and Anand Kumar who scaled Mt Everest. Their coach Sekhar Babu is also seen.
SWAEROES Movement Mountaineers Poorna Malavath and Anand Kumar swear by the ten commandments of SWAEROES. SWAEROES stand for Social Welfare Aeroes (Greek for sky) and its motto: Sky is the limit. The alumni of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society had initiated a movement to carry forward the legacy of Jyothi Rao Phule and Dr B R Ambedkar.
Ten commandments of SWAEROES 1)
I am not inferior to anyone.
2)
I shall be the leader wherever I am.
3)
I shall do what I love and be different.
4) I shall always think big and aim high. 5) I shall repay what I borrow. 6) I shall never fear the unknown. 7) I shall never give up. 8) I shall be honest, hardworking and punctual. 9) I shall never blame others for my failure. 10) I shall never beg nor cheat. Igniting Minds team felicitating Poorna Malavath