Meet 20-year-old Poonam Rana, who is Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks

The story of 20-year-old Poonam Rana is the quintessence of how one can turn one's personal setbacks into motivation. This audacious girl from a small village in Uttarkashi is all geared up to climb Mt. Everest in March 2018 under the tutelage of veteran mountaineer Bachendri Pal.

Personal setbacks

Poonam told TOI that she was only six-months-old when she lost both her parents. In 2015, her two elder brothers also died in quick succession – one succumbed to an accident and another to a disease. Their deaths completely devastated her. She was ready to relinquish her life. Fortunately, she was introduced to Bachendri Pal by two of her brother's friends in March 2016, who ignited in her the spark of doing something meaningful with her life.

Read Also: Nepali Woman Takes Anti-Trafficking Message To Mt. Everest

The Journey to Everest

In September 2016 Rana secured admission to a Basic course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM). After this, she earned the best student award for both Basic and Advance courses. She has already scaled the Everest Base Camp, at 17,598 feet, in March this year and the Rudra Gera Mountain in Uttarakhand in September.

In January she is attempting to summit Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak of South America at 22,841 feet above sea level.

Also: Anshu Jamsenpa Climbs Mt Everest Twice In One Season, Creates World Record

“I have dreams and ambitions now in life. Proper guidance and inspiration from people has changed my life. I will come back to my village after my Everest expedition and motivate girls here to chase their dreams,” - Rana.