Guwahati: When the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) made history with its first-ever all-women team summiting Mount Everest on May 21, it was a moment of immense pride for Assam as well. Rupamoni Gorh, a 26-year-old constable from Nagaon Pothar village in Lakhimpur district, became the first woman from the state to conquer the world's highest peak. She was also the first among the 11 team members to set foot on the summit.
A Journey of Determination
Rupamoni joined the ITBP in 2020 as a constable and is currently posted in Haryana, where she took up mountaineering. Her father, Joysingh Gorh, a farmer, expressed his pride, saying, "It is a matter of immense pride for the family and Assam. I thank her for achieving this for the family and the state." Her mother, Kamalawati, works as an Anganwadi assistant.
Speaking after the descent, Joysingh shared, "She called us soon after reaching the medical camp. She said except for some issues with her toes, she and her team members were fine."
Historic Expedition
The expedition was led by ITBP Deputy Commandant Bhanita Timungpi, a member of the Assam Mountaineering Association and a resident of Guwahati. It was organized under the Ministry of Home Affairs' "Nari Shakti Bandan" program, aimed at empowering women.
In a post on social media platform X, the ITBP stated, "ITBP's first-ever All-Women Expedition summited Mount Everest (8,848 m) via the South Col Route on 21 May 2026. With the first summit at 0652 hrs, all 11 women climbers reached the top. Proud moment for India."
Recognition and Congratulations
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Rupamoni on X, saying, "Assam's daughter has reached the top of the world. Heartiest congratulations to Rupamoni Gorh for becoming the first woman from Assam to scale Mount Everest. Her historic feat is a moment of immense pride for Assam and an inspiration for our youth to dream big and conquer new heights."
The Assam Mountaineering Association called it "historic moments to cheer" and congratulated both Assam women for their outstanding achievements, making the state proud forever.
About the Author
Prabin Kalita is a journalist at The Times of India and currently serves as the Chief of Bureau (northeast). With a career spanning since 2001, he has reported extensively on issues from India's northeastern region and neighboring countries like Myanmar, China, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. His coverage includes insurgency, politics, natural calamities, and environment. He holds a post-graduate degree in Geological Sciences from Gauhati University.
