Page 8 - NIS English 16-30 June, 2026

PERSONALITY | Vinita Soren

Date of Birth: June 21, 1987

The First Indian Tribal Woman to

Conquer Mount Everest

Vinita Soren of Jharkhand made history by becoming the first tribal woman to conquer
Mount Everest. The heights that Vinita scaled at the age of 25 are a testament to a story of
sheer hard work and indomitable courage. By touching the summit of the world’s highest
peak, she proved that dreams are not bound by any social limitations. Having journeyed
from a small village in Jharkhand to the world’s highest peak, Vinita Soren has today
become an inspiration for girls across the entire nation.

inita, who scaled Mount Everest, achieved a to conquer the world took her to the highest peak of
remarkable feat despite coming from a tribal the snow-capped mountain.
Vbackground. Life in a tribal area was depen- In 2004, Vinita first met Bachendri Pal and, inspired
dent on working in the fields, limited education, and by her, set her goal of becoming a mountaineer.
limited dreams; yet, Vinita’s dreams soared even Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mount
higher than Everest itself. Born on June 21, 1987, Everest, trained Vinita. Coming from a tribal and
Vinita not only conquered Mount Everest but, driven farming family, she lacked motivation to become a
by her passion, spirit, and sheer determination, also mountaineer. Just leaving home was as tall a task as
brought a new identity to the Indian tribal community. climbing Mount Everest, but her family trusted her
A daughter from the Kolhan region, Vinita Soren, and encouraged her to move forward. After rigorous
spent her childhood surrounded by fields. In her training, when Bachendri Pal told Vinita that she was
village and surrounding areas, teaching or nursing ready for Everest, she couldn’t resist. Finally, she con-
was considered the only career option for girls, but quered Everest. She subsequently conquered many
her dream was completely different. It took her other peaks. Today, her family is known by her name.
seven years of hard work before she finally con- Vinita, a native of Keshorsora village in Jharkhand’s
quered Everest. During this time, she learned that Saraikela Kharsawan district, was supported by Tata
mountaineering is not just a test of strength but also Steel in her Everest expedition as part of its corporate
of mental strength, courage, and determination. The social responsibility. This ascent of a rural tribal girl to
extreme cold and snowfall brought her many chal- the world’s highest peak, at 8,848 meters, became a
lenging moments. She often felt like she had no clear record in itself. She has received numerous honors and
ambition, but courage, perseverance, and a passion awards across the country for her achievements. n

6 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || June 16-30, 2026