Amita Shrivas of Chhattisgarh Hoists Tricolour on Mount Everest After Overcoming Years of Struggle

Janjgir-Champa, September 12, 2026: For Amita Shrivas, reaching the summit of Mount Everest was far more than a mountaineering achievement. The daughter of a modest family from Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district, she overcame financial hardships and years of demanding preparation before finally raising the Indian Tricolour at the world’s highest peak.

Amita completed the Everest expedition on May 22, 2026, reaching an altitude of 8,848 metres above sea level. Her achievement marks the culmination of a journey that began with limited resources but was driven by determination and a strong ambition to take on some of the world’s highest mountains.

Amita grew up in Loharpara, Champa, in a family supported by her father Jaitram Shrivas, who runs a small salon. He raised seven children, including five daughters and two sons, with his modest income.

After completing her schooling at Government Laxmibai Girls School in Champa in 2008, Amita pursued a B.Com degree. With financial responsibilities at home, she joined the Anganwadi workforce in 2011.

Her interest in mountaineering, however, continued to grow.

Amita completed a basic mountaineering course in 2018 before enrolling in a 28-day advanced mountaineering programme in Sikkim.

Paying for professional mountaineering training was a major challenge for someone dependent on a modest Anganwadi honorarium. Despite the financial difficulties, she managed to complete the course and continued preparing for larger expeditions.

Her opportunity to test herself internationally came with the Mount Kilimanjaro expedition, Africa’s highest mountain.

Arranging the money for the Kilimanjaro expedition was another major hurdle. Amita approached the district administration, after which financial assistance from the Generation Company helped make the expedition possible.

According to Ramesh Kumar Shrivas, a resident of her village and Chief Statistical Officer with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company, Amita maintained a rigorous practice routine despite her circumstances.

Her determination paid off when she successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on March 8, 2021, becoming Chhattisgarh’s first international female mountaineer, according to the account.

The achievement strengthened her confidence and paved the way for an even bigger challenge — Mount Everest.

The Everest expedition required significantly greater financial resources, with the cost estimated at around ₹50 lakh.

Following recommendations from the State Government and the district administration, the Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company extended substantial financial support to Amita for the expedition.

For Amita, the expedition demanded not only financial backing but also intense physical and mental preparation.

The climb also brought Amita face-to-face with the dangers associated with high-altitude mountaineering.

One of the most distressing moments occurred when Bengaluru-based mountaineer Sandeep Apte reportedly suffered snow blindness during the expedition. Exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation at high altitude affected his corneas, and he later died.

The incident highlighted the extreme risks faced by climbers even after reaching advanced stages of an Everest expedition.

The final stretch proved particularly demanding. Amita reportedly spent around 21 hours completing the last 800-metre ascent, relying on an oxygen cylinder during the climb.

On May 22, 2026, she finally reached the summit of Mount Everest and hoisted the Indian Tricolour at an elevation of approximately 8,848 metres.

Her achievement represents the culmination of years of training, personal sacrifice and institutional support.

Amita’s Everest success has become a story of overcoming circumstances as much as conquering a mountain. From a family with limited financial means in Champa to the summit of the world’s highest peak, her journey illustrates how sustained effort and access to institutional support can open opportunities that once appeared out of reach.

The Tricolour she raised on Everest therefore represents more than a successful expedition. It stands as a symbol of perseverance and the determination to pursue an ambitious goal despite financial and social challenges.