“My mother’s strength and perseverance in the face of adversity have been my biggest inspiration.”  

 YOUNG ACHIEVER  

 

In the verdant, secluded village of Takraguda in Bastar, a story of extraordinary determination and achievement has its roots. Naina Singh Dhakad, at 32, has emerged as the ‘Mountain Girl’ of Bastar, not only for her incredible mountaineering feats but also for her journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim. Naina's journey to the summit of success is marked by a series of unparalleled accomplishments. She has become the first Indian woman to conquer two of the world's highest peaks - Mount Lhotse (8516 meters) and Mount Everest (8848.86 meters) - within a breath-taking span of just 10 days.

 

This feat not only etched her name in the annals of Indian mountaineering history but also marked her as the first woman from Chhattisgarh to scale Everest. Her relentless spirit pushed her to achieve another milestone. In an aweinspiring 15-day venture, she visited high-altitude pilgrimage sites like Panch Kedar, Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara in Uttarakhand, and the Amarnath temple in Jammu and Kashmir. Adding to her list of astonishing feats, she cycled from Manali to Khardung La, navigating the treacherous hilly track in just nine days. Over the past 13 years, Naina has conquered more than 20 high peaks across Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Leh Laddakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Her achievements haven't gone unnoticed. She has been honoured with the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award by the President of India, becoming the first woman mountaineer from India and Chhattisgarh to receive this accolade. Further recognition came with her name being recorded in the India Book of World Records and accolades from the Chhattisgarh government. Her role as the brand ambassador of Bastar Police and the announcement of a mountaineering institute being opened in Bastar in her name are testaments to her inspirational journey. But Naina's talents extend beyond mountaineering. She has proven her mettle as a national judo player, statelevel badminton player and wrestler, a marathon runner, and a yoga expert. Her artistic skills are equally commendable, being a classical singer and an exceptional dancer. Moreover, she excels as a motivational speaker, inspiring many.

 

Her ascent into the world of adventure sports began during her college days at Bastar. A training camp under the National Service Scheme (NSS) in Himachal Pradesh introduced her to hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, and snow climbing, sparking a lifelong passion. A chance encounter with Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to scale Everest, during a job interview for Tata Steel in Tatanagar (Jharkhand) proved to be a turning point. Naina's collaboration with Pal led them to participate in the challenging Snow Man track event in Bhutan. Discussing her challenging Mount Everest mission, Naina recalled the hostile weather conditions. Out of a tenmember team, only three, including Naina, reached the summit, making her the only woman in the group to do so. There, she proudly unfurled the Indian Tricolour, sang the national and state songs, and performed yoga, symbolizing her commitment to female child protection and fitness. Academically, Naina has been a consistently outstanding student, holding degrees in Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.), and Master in Social Work (MSW). She further honed her mountaineering skills at prestigious national institutions like the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) at Darjeeling, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) at Uttarkashi, and Swami Vivekananda Institute of Mountaineering (SVIM) at Mount Abu. Naina's early life, however, was marked by considerable hardship. After the untimely death of her father, a policeman in erstwhile Madhya Pradesh Police, her family faced severe financial difficulties.

 

“After my father's demise, we were plunged into a struggle for survival,” Naina recalls. “We even lost our home. My mother worked tirelessly, taking on menial jobs like washing utensils in other people’s houses, to provide for me and my siblings.” This challenging period shaped Naina's resilience and determination. “My mother’s strength and perseverance in the face of adversity have been my biggest inspiration,” she says. Today, Naina is determined to give back to her community. She envisions popularizing adventure sports in Bastar and training local youth, hoping to transform their lives through skill development and self-confidence. Her appeal to the state government for a permanent government job underscores her desire for financial stability to continue her mission. Naina's message to the youth is a reflection of her journey: "No work is small or big. Do it with passion and dedication, and success will follow." Her story, from the struggles of her childhood to her monumental achievements, stands as a beacon of hope and an example of the indomitable human spirit. ■