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Time of India
19 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
THE WOMAN WHO CLIMBED DARKNESS
Logo: Times Specials Kullu: On the morning of May 19, as dawn lit up the Himalayas, Chhonzin Angmo stood on the summit of Mount Everest. There was no sweeping panorama for her. No view. No photograph. Just a blur of wind, cold, breathlessness — and tears. "I couldn't see anything," Angmo said. "But I could feel it. I was standing on the top of the world. That moment was unbelievable." In that moment, the 29-year-old from Himachal Pradesh, India, became the first visually impaired woman ever to summit Everest, and only the fifth person in history without sight to reach the peak. She had made it. Not despite her blindness — but through it. From the valley to the void Angmo was born in Chango, a remote Himalayan village sitting almost 3,000 metres above sea level, on the edge of the Spiti valley. She had perfect vision as a child, playing in the apple orchards and walking to school like any other. But one day, at the age of eight, something changed. "It was during her school examinations," said her older brother, Gopal. "The teacher noticed her handwriting had started slanting on the page. She said she couldn't see." Within days, Angmo was blind. Her family travelled hundreds of kilometres to doctors in Rampur, then to Delhi, Chandigarh and Patiala — but the cause was never identified, and the treatments never worked. The young girl spent years at home in silence. But silence never suited her. "She had this fire," said Tashi Dolma, the village head of Chango and a former schoolmate. "She was never going to accept being left behind. " Learning to move forward Angmo was enrolled eventually in the Mahabodhi Residential School for the visually impaired in Leh, Ladakh — more than 1,000 km from home. There, she learned Braille. She graduated. Then she left the mountains for Delhi, where she studied at Miranda House, one of India's top colleges for women. There, the mountains called her back. And this time, she answered in a way no one expected. Angmo took up adventure sport. She paraglided in Bir-Billing. She bicycled from Manali to Khardung La. She swam, ran marathons, played judo, scaled the Siachen Glacier, and summited Kang Yatse II and Kanamo Peak. She worked her way up to 20,000-foot climbs — blind. "After I lost my eyesight, Everest became my obsession," she said. "People tried to scare me. They said I'd die. But every time they said it, I became more determined." The final ascent Mount Everest is more than a climb. For Indian climbers, a guided expedition can cost upwards of ₹50 lakh. For a blind woman from a remote village, it's nearly impossible. Angmo knocked on many doors. Eventually, her employer —Union Bank of India — agreed to sponsor her expedition. She left Delhi on April 6. After flying to Lukla, she trekked to Everest Base Camp by April 18. For the next 26 days, she trained and acclimatised under the guidance of military veteran Romil Barthwal and two Sherpa guides, Dundu Sherpa and Gurung Maila. On May 15, the summit push began. Her biggest fear? Not altitude. Not fatigue. Crevasses. "I was terrified of the ladders. I couldn't walk across them, so I sat on them and crawled across on my hands," she said. Between Base Camp and Camp 4, she relied on trekking poles and the subtle shifts in body movements of climbers ahead to navigate. At times, she memorised terrain from a previous trek to Base Camp a year earlier. On May 18, she reached Camp 4. That night, at 7 pm, the team made their summit push. Top of the world Above 8,000 m lies the Death Zone, where oxygen is scarce and each step can take a minute. Angmo moved slowly, focusing on her breathing, her footing, her purpose. "At that altitude, every step hurts. I just kept repeating in my head: I'm not doing this just for me. I'm doing it for everyone who's ever been told they can't." By 8.30 am the next morning, she was there — at 8,849 m. The world's highest point. She couldn't see it. But she knew. "The wind was fierce. My Sherpas were telling me about the peaks below. I couldn't hold back my tears." Back to reality, eyes still shut—but wide open Today, Angmo lives alone in Delhi. She takes the metro to work, cooks her own meals, visits friends. But her story is far from over. "Everest isn't the end. It's the beginning," she said. "Next, I want to climb the Seven Summits." Her story adds a new chapter to global mountaineering history — and a proud page to India's. Graphic Blind Faith, High Point: Scaling the Invisible box1 Chhonzin Angmo's Road to Summit >> April 6 | Departs Delhi >> April 10 | Begins Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla >> April 18 | Reaches base camp; starts 26-day acclimatisation >> May 15 | Reaches Camp 1 >> May 16-18 | Climbs through Camps 2 to 4 >> May 19, 8.30 am | Reaches the summit of Mount Everest box 2 The famous 5: Everest's Sightless Pioneers >> Erik Weihenmayer (US) | First blind person to summit Everest (2001); completed Seven Summits >> Andy Holzer (Austria) | Summited Everest in 2017 via Tibet >> Zhang Hong (China) | First blind Asian climber to summit (2021) >> Lonnie Bedwell (US) | Blind Navy veteran summited in 2023 >> Chhonzin Angmo (India) | First blind woman to summit Everest (2025) box3 No Legs, But What A Feat! Other Indian physically challenged mountaineers:- >> Arunima Sinha | Second amputee in the world to summit Everest (2013) >> Chitrasen Sahu | Double amputee (called Half Human Robo); climbed Mt Elbrus and Kilimanjaro >> Uday Kumar | Amputee climber; scaled Kilimanjaro and Mt Rhenock >> Tinkesh Kaushik | First triple amputee to reach Everest base camp box 4 "To climb Everest, you don't just need strength. You need a reason," Angmo said. She found hers in the dark. And she carried it all the way to the top of the world. MSID:: 121547482 413 |
NDTV
24-05-2025
- NDTV
Visually Impaired Himachali Woman Becomes 1st Indian To Scale Mount Everest
Shimla: Chhonzin Angmo, a tribal woman from a remote village in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, suffers from total blindness but she has never let her visual impairment stand in the way of her dreams. Angmo, who idolises Hellen Keller, believes deeply in her words of wisdom -- "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." On Monday, she scripted history by becoming the first visually-impaired woman from India and the fifth such person in the world to scale Mt Everest, planting the Tricolour on Earth's highest mountain. Born in the remote Chango village along the India-Tibet border, Angmo lost her sight when she was eight years old. She still went on to earn her graduation and masters degrees from Miranda House under the University of Delhi. At present, she works with the Union Bank of India as a customer service associate in Delhi. Her father Amar Chand told PTI on Friday, "My daughter has made me proud and we all are very happy about her achievement. However, we do not know the exact details yet and are waiting for her return." The news of Angmo scaling the world's highest peak also brought cheer among locals of her village. Yamchin, her relative, said Angmo was bold and determined since childhood. Her feat has brought happiness to the entire village, she said. Angmo's journey may have been full of challenges but she turned every challenge into an opportunity. "My story has just begun, my blindness is not my weakness but my strength," she had earlier told PTI. "Climbing mountain peaks has been my childhood dream but financial constraints were a big challenge. Now I will embark on scaling all the left-out peaks," she had said. In October 2024, Angmo became the first visually-impaired Indian woman to complete a trek to the Everest base camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 metres. She has scaled Mt Kang Yatsae 2 (6,250 metres) in Ladakh and was also a member of the Divyang expedition team that scaled an unnamed peak at an altitude of about 6,000 metres in the Union Territory. Her feats even found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mann ki Baat" radio broadcast as he recognised and praised her team. With a passion for sports, Angmo won a gold medal in swimming at the state level and participated in a national-level judo championship. She has two bronze medals from national-level marathon events and participated in the Delhi Marathon three times, as well as the Pink Marathon and the Delhi Vedanta Marathon. She also played football at the zonal and the national levels. In order to achieve her dream of scaling mountain peaks, Angmo completed a basic mountaineering course from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in 2016 and was adjudged the best trainee. An adventurer by heart, she cycled from Manali to Khardung La, one of the world's highest motorable roads at an altitude of 18,000 feet (about 5486 metres), in 10 days, braving extreme temperatures, in 2018; embarked on a cycling expedition through the Nilgiris region across three states in just six days in 2019; and completed the seven-day cycling expedition from Manali to Kalpa across the Spiti Valley and Kinnaur last July. She was also the only woman mountaineer of the team of people with disabilities that scaled the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, in 2021 under Operation Blue Freedom and set a New World Record. She received the Sarvshresth Divyangjan National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities last year from President Droupadi Murmu. She is also a recipient of the NAB Madhu Sharma Young Achiever Award, International Day of Persons with Disabilities Award from the National Association for the Blind in Delhi, and the Cavinkare Ability Mastery Awards.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Himachali tribal woman becomes first Indian to scale Mt Everest with no vision
Chhonzin Angmo, a tribal woman from a remote village in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, suffers from total blindness but she has never let her visual impairment stand in the way of her dreams. Angmo, who idolises Hellen Keller, believes deeply in her words of wisdom -- "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." On Monday, she scripted history by becoming the first visually-impaired woman from India and the fifth such person in the world to scale Mt Everest, planting the Tricolour on Earth's highest mountain. Also read | Everest, everywhere, all at once: What the peak is teaching us about attitudes and altitudes Born in the remote Chango village along the India-Tibet border, Angmo lost her sight when she was eight years old. She still went on to earn her graduation and masters degrees from Miranda House under the University of Delhi. At present, she works with the Union Bank of India as a customer service associate in Delhi. Her father Amar Chand told PTI on Friday, "My daughter has made me proud and we all are very happy about her achievement. However, we do not know the exact details yet and are waiting for her return." The news of Angmo scaling the world's highest peak also brought cheer among locals of her village. Also read | Geeta Samota becomes first CISF personnel to conquer Mt Everest Yamchin, her relative, said Angmo was bold and determined since childhood. Her feat has brought happiness to the entire village, she said. Angmo's journey may have been full of challenges but she turned every challenge into an opportunity. "My story has just begun, my blindness is not my weakness but my strength," she had earlier told PTI. "Climbing mountain peaks has been my childhood dream but financial constraints were a big challenge. Now I will embark on scaling all the left-out peaks," she had said. In October 2024, Angmo became the first visually-impaired Indian woman to complete a trek to the Everest base camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 metres. Also read | Indian man, 45, dies on Mount Everest: 'He refused to descend' She has scaled Mt Kang Yatsae 2 (6,250 metres) in Ladakh and was also a member of the Divyang expedition team that scaled an unnamed peak at an altitude of about 6,000 metres in the Union Territory. Her feats even found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mann ki Baat" radio broadcast as he recognised and praised her team. With a passion for sports, Angmo won a gold medal in swimming at the state level and participated in a national-level judo championship. She has two bronze medals from national-level marathon events and participated in the Delhi Marathon three times, as well as the Pink Marathon and the Delhi Vedanta Marathon. She also played football at the zonal and the national levels. In order to achieve her dream of scaling mountain peaks, Angmo completed a basic mountaineering course from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in 2016 and was adjudged the best trainee. An adventurer by heart, she cycled from Manali to Khardung La, one of the world's highest motorable roads at an altitude of 18,000 feet (about 5486 metres), in 10 days, braving extreme temperatures, in 2018; embarked on a cycling expedition through the Nilgiris region across three states in just six days in 2019; and completed the seven-day cycling expedition from Manali to Kalpa across the Spiti Valley and Kinnaur last July. She was also the only woman mountaineer of the team of people with disabilities that scaled the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, in 2021 under Operation Blue Freedom and set a New World Record. She received the Sarvshresth Divyangjan National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities last year from President Droupadi Murmu. She is also a recipient of the NAB Madhu Sharma Young Achiever Award, International Day of Persons with Disabilities Award from the National Association for the Blind in Delhi, and the Cavinkare Ability Mastery Awards.
Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Union Bank of India Empowers Dreams: Chhonzin Angmo Becomes First Visually Impaired Woman to Conquer Mount Everest
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 23: Chhonzin Angmo has etched her name in history by becoming the first visually impaired female to stand atop the world's highest peak. Her quest to the pinnacles of glory was supported by Union Bank of India. With unwavering determination, Angmo reached Mount Everest, inspiring millions with her achievement. Having lost her sight at eight due to a reaction to medication, Angmo's journey is a testament to her resilience and courage. Despite her disability, the 29-year-old employee of Union Bank of India has already climbed several peaks such as Siachen Kumar post (15632 ft), unnamed peak (19717ft) Ladakh, before embarking on her Everest journey. She received a National Award from Hon'ble President of India for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2024 under the 'Sarvshresth Divyangjan' category. Her successful ascent showcases her perseverance, trust in her team, and unrelenting spirit. Angmo's achievement is a shining example of how courage, resilience, and determination can overcome adversity. Union Bank of India celebrates Angmo's achievement as an inspiration to humanity, embodying the spirit of empowerment and inclusivity that the Bank strives to promote. Angmo's story encourages both the underprivileged and privileged to push beyond perceived limitations.
Business Upturn
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Union Bank of India Empowers Dreams: Chhonzin Angmo Becomes First Visually Impaired Woman to Conquer Mount Everest
By PR Newswire Published on May 22, 2025, 19:01 IST MUMBAI, India , May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Chhonzin Angmo has etched her name in history by becoming the first visually impaired female to stand atop the world's highest peak. Her quest to the pinnacles of glory was supported by Union Bank of India . With unwavering determination, Angmo reached Mount Everest, inspiring millions with her achievement. Having lost her sight at eight due to a reaction to medication, Angmo's journey is a testament to her resilience and courage. Despite her disability, the 29-year-old employee of Union Bank of India has already climbed several peaks such as Siachen Kumar post (15632 ft), unnamed peak (19717ft) Ladakh, before embarking on her Everest journey. She received a National Award from Hon'ble President of India for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2024 under the 'Sarvshresth Divyangjan' category. Her successful ascent showcases her perseverance, trust in her team, and unrelenting spirit. Angmo's achievement is a shining example of how courage, resilience, and determination can overcome adversity. Union Bank of India celebrates Angmo's achievement as an inspiration to humanity, embodying the spirit of empowerment and inclusivity that the Bank strives to promote. Angmo's story encourages both the underprivileged and privileged to push beyond perceived limitations. View original content: Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. PR Newswire is a distributor of press releases headquartered in New York City.
