Women in the subcontinent seem to be creating history this week and empowering us with their stories. First, national sprinter Dutee Chand showed immense bravery by announcing her same-sex relationship. And now, Nahida Manzoor, a mountaineer from Kashmir, has gone on to conquer Mount Everest, making her the first woman from the state to do so.
Manzoor, who hails from the Zewan area in the Valley, started her maiden attempt from the Everest Base Camp with her group on Saturday, May 18th. On the fourth day, she successfully summited the peak. The news about her accomplishment was shared by Hyderabad-based mountaineering company Transcend Adventures, the company she had undertaken the journey with.
The Fourth summit of the day is Ms.Nahida Manzoor along with her Sherpa Guide Mr.Nima Kancha . Nahida hails from the…
Posted by Transcend Adventures on Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Her Journey
Manzoor is a trained mountaineer, and has completed different courses at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttaranchal. On her Facebook profile, she describes herself as an alpinist, mountaineer, climber and shooter. She also enjoys table tennis, badminton, riding and volleyball.
While scaling the highest peak in the world comes with infinite challenges, the massive cost of the expedition is a big one. In a run-up to her climb, Manzoor started a crowdfunding campaign in March to support herself. Along with the campaign, she received contributions from certain state government departments and a business house. And she managed to raise ₹30 lakhs, which was the amount required.
Reactions
Praising her remarkable feat, former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti said:
Kashmiris too have dreams & aspirations like everyone else. Somewhere between stereotyping & demonising them, human stories are lost.
All of twenty three,Nahida Manzoor is the first Kashmiri woman to scale Mt Everest. More power to her & the youth of J&K. pic.twitter.com/u2scarVUHe— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 22, 2019
The Bravehearts Martyrs Foundation hailed her as an ‘inspiring personality for millions around the globe’.
BMF & Army Congrats Mountaineer Nahida Manzoor For Conquering Mt Everest.
‘Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast’
Another inspiring personality for Millions around the globe
With Love and Respect from: Patriot Syed Algazi and ( BMF ).Jai Hind. pic.twitter.com/pqp50FuxKG
— Braveheart Martyrs Foundation (@BraveheartMart1) May 23, 2019
A doctor from the state, Nausheen Khan, tweeted:
For once and for all, 23 year old Nahida Manzoor breaks all the stereotypes and becomes the first woman from Kashmir to conquer Mt. Everest.
You have made the nation proud Nahida. Much Love, Luck and Power to you. 💪#Salute 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Q442wLuZcP
— Nausheen Khan (@DrNausheenKhan) May 24, 2019
J&K National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Manzoor and the two state police officers who were also a part of the team. In his message, he said:
It’s a proud moment for our state and its people. I congratulate the trio who have successfully scaled the world’s highest peak. Moreover, the team also comprised of a girl. I congratulate her, and I believe that her achievement has the ability to transform a generation, as will do her male counterparts. They truly are an inspiration for others.
Nahida Manzoor is definitely an inspiration to women everywhere. We congratulate her and wish her success for all her future expeditions. More power to her!
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