'I read Hanuman Chalisa during my Everest climb'

45-year-old Premlata Agarwal recounts her high point

She defied the 'age barrier' and managed to climb the highest peak in the world, reinforcing theu00a0u00a0 belief that the strong mind rules the physical self. In the process,u00a0 45-year- old Premlata Agarwal became the oldest Indian woman to climb the Mount Everest.


At the top: Premlata Agrawal (right) with mountaineer Bachendri Pal
at Hotel Taj Mahal, in New Delhi on Tuesday. PIC/Rajeev Tyagi

This mother-of-two successfully ascended the world's highest mountain peak at 8,848 metres on May 20 after setting off for the quest on March 25. "I had practiced for months for the expedition. I used to do yoga and exercised regularly in the gym. Wherever I went, I was asked my age and when I used to tell them, they often discouraged me from the climb," said Premlata.

'Not easy'
"The trip to the Everest was not easy. I always kept reading Hanuman Chalisa during my climb," she added.
Agarwal, who comes from a conservative background, said that she got tremendous support from her family for her adventure.

"Mental strength is an important aspect of any sport. If you remain happy, your mental adaptability increases and happiness comes from within family," said Agarwal, who has also climbed Karakoram Pass and Mount Killimanjaro besides being part of the first Indian women's Thar Desert expedition which involved a 40-day camel safari from Bhuj in Gujarat to Attari in Punjab.