THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 16, 2026

In a stirring celebration of courage, patriotism and women’s empowerment, five women mountaineers from Odisha scripted a remarkable chapter in the state’s adventure sports history by scaling the formidable 20,100-ft Mount Yunam in Himachal Pradesh and hoisting the national flag at its summit on Independence Day.

Adding a spectacular touch to the historic feat, the team unfurled an 80-metre-long Tricolour atop the Himalayan peak on August 15, transforming the summit into a powerful symbol of national pride. The successful ascent, achieved amid extreme altitude, treacherous terrain and adverse weather conditions, was described by the team as an emotional and unforgettable moment.

The five women were part of an 11-member mountaineering expedition from Odisha that set out on August 7 under the guidance of Everest climber Ganesh Jena and the leadership of Anita Swain, with the ambitious objective of conquering Mount Yunam.

Braving the demanding Himalayan conditions, the expedition members displayed exceptional courage, discipline, endurance and team spirit. Three other members of the team reached very close to the summit but were unable to complete the final ascent due to illness.

Team leader Anita Swain said, “Mount Yunam is not just a mountain peak for us; it represents the courage, confidence and determination of the women of Odisha. The successful summit and hoisting of the Tricolour on Independence Day is a matter of immense pride for us. The expedition being completed with zero accidents makes the achievement even more special.”

Ganesh Jena, editor of ‘AASHA’ and an Everest climber, said the success was the outcome of prolonged training, rigorous fitness preparation, endurance building, altitude acclimatisation and strict adherence to mountaineering discipline. He described the successful summit by five members of the 11-member team as a major achievement.

Shubhashish Tripathy, Managing Director, Sanket Communications, said, “This achievement is much more than a mountaineering expedition; it is an inspiring example of women’s empowerment, courage, patriotism and determination. By hoisting the Tricolour atop Mount Yunam, these women have taken the pride of Odisha to the heights of the Himalayas.”

Haresh Kumar Mishra, Vice-President of ‘AASHA’, said, “The success of the Mount Yunam expedition marks the beginning of a new chapter in Odisha’s adventure sports landscape. It will especially inspire women and young people to push their limits and dream bigger.”

The successful ascent of five women to the 20,100-ft summit, the unfurling of the 80-metre-long Tricolour and the completion of the expedition without any accident have together marked a significant milestone in Odisha’s women’s mountaineering and adventure sports journey.

The expedition, undertaken on a day when the nation celebrated its Independence, has not only placed Odisha’s mountaineering prowess on the Himalayan heights but has also sent out a powerful message of determination, resilience and the limitless potential of women.