Arunima Sinha – A guiding lamp of hope

Sunil Gohil

Teacher, writer/poet - Bhavnagar, Gujarat

Arunima Sinha – A guiding lamp of hope

In 2011, twenty four year old Arunima Sinha was thrown off a moving train by thugs for refusing to hand over the gold chain she was wearing. She lost her left leg when a train went over it. While dealing with pitying murmurs of, “Who will marry you now,” and the absurd conspiracy theories that followed, she made a decision. She would climb Mount Everest. In 2013 she did just that, becoming the world’s first female amputee, and the first Indian amputee, to achieve this feat. This Mayof 2021 marks the 8th anniversary of her reaching Everest’s summit. In honour of this phenomenal accomplishment, Arunima Sinha recalls about how that ill-fated train trip, the hell that followed, why she decided to climb Everest and how it is in the worst tragedies that the human spirit learns to soar. Arunima Sinha, the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom (UK)..

The recognition is not just for her inspiring achievements in mountaineering, but also her charitable work. Arunima is the founder of Arunima Foundation, which works to empower women, disabled people and improve health, social and economic situation for poorer communities.

Arunima, who is a former Indian national volleyball player, had her left leg amputated below the knee after she was thrown out of a train while resisting a robbery. While in hospital, she made up her mind to climb Mount Everest She trained with Bachendri Pal, who is the first Indian women to climb the world’s highest peak.

Arunima reached the top of Everest in May 2013, becoming the first female amputee as well as the first Indian amputee to do so. She has also climbed the tallest mountains in Africa, Europe, Australia and South America. In 2015, she was given the Padma Shri.

She hoped the honour would motivate others to work towards their goals.

“I am very happy and grateful to receive this honorary degree from the University of Strathclyde. This award delivers a good message to the youth of India and the world over that if you strive to reach your goals in life your achievements will be recognised.” – Arunima Sinha, Amputee mountaineer

Speaking at the function, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, called Sinha “an inspiration to amputees around the world.” He also said, “Not only has she shown real spirit, courage and determination in overcoming adversity, she is using her compassion and positivity to help other people.” The news has been greeted with warm and enthusiastic responses from social media. Alok Dwivedi tweeted, “The whole country is proud of you. You keep on growing continuously. You are an inspiration for youth like us.” Suneel Singh Baghel said, “I consider Arunima Sinha my teacher & same is my god for me too!”

Sources – Yourstory, arunimasinha.com, newzhooks