In a small hilly town Sukhiapokri near Darjeeling, a young girl enthusiastically participated in all sports activities in school. Although she never managed to perform exceptionally, she always ensured she completed the race. Her perseverance and patience did not yield any immediate result. It was only in her mid-thirties, that she came in contact with the first Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest, Bachendri Pal and decided to change the course of her mundane life. At 48, Premlata Agrawal is the first Indian woman mountaineer to achieve the seven continent summits.
“Born in a lower-middle class family with seven brothers and two sisters, I was married off at an early age and shifted to Jamshedpur. I was looking after the household, raising my two daughters and was leading a perfect life as a homemaker. Then in 2000 I met Bachendri Pal, who regularly organises trekking expeditions for women, in which I had participated. She was the first one to notice my potential,” recollects Premlata.
Therafter, she enrolled with the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. “Initially, I was not taken seriously and many people told me it is not possible to climb mountains in late thirties for a woman. But I remained adamant and managed to complete the course successfully,” quips Agrawal.
At an age when women start bearing the brunt of menopause, how did she manage to achieve the feat? “It wasn’t easy. I had pain in my knees from time to time. I climbed the last peak, Mt. Mckinley only in my second attempt this year. There were times I felt so short of breath at the high altitude that I wanted to quit. But I couldn’t give up after almost reaching my goal,” she smiles.
Having interacted with mountaineers from across the globe at the different summits she has climbed, how has been her experience with her fraternity? “It feels nice to meet people who share similar passion. Many of them are purely amazed that an Indian woman is managing to set records. I like proving it to them that will and energy has nothing to do with nationality,” she says.
If one really wants to achieve something, no hurdle can stop that person, she feels. Yes, one has to learn the art of time management and be dedicated.
She narrates a particular incident that she remembers very well, while climbing Mt. Everest. “I was climbing and had almost made it, when I fell short of oxygen supply. I had to pull open my mittens and adjust the oxygen mask. There was so much wind that the mittens flew away. My hands started freezing and after a point I couldn’t feel them. I started praying and asking God to let me reach the peak. After moving a little higher with great difficulty, I found a pair of woolen gloves lying. I quickly put them on and managed to reach the top. It was some divine intervention,” says Agrawal.
The mountaineer has to work out really hard to maintain her lean frame. “I work out almost 4-5 hours a day. This includes running, yoga and gymming. I also have to maintain a strict diet,” she says.
But she concedes that like all mothers she loves cooking for her family. “I love cooking and experimenting with different kinds of cuisines. It helps me unwind,” she adds.