Darjeeling student first NCC girl from Bengal to summit Everest
Times of India | 21 May 2025
Siliguri: A 19-year-old student from Ghum, Darjeeling, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest as part of a National Cadet Corps (NCC) all-girls expedition team.A political science student at St Joseph's College, Pratima Raiwas the only female cadet selected from Bengal for the prestigious mission. She was among 19 cadets from across India chosen after a rigorous selection process that began in Sept last year.The team departed from Delhi in March to begin their expedition.The NCC girls' team reached the summit of the world's highest peak at 3am on May 18, marking a historic achievement.Captain Dhiraj Bhraman, associate NCC officer of St Joseph's College, told TOI, "The girls' team of the NCC has successfully climbed Mount Everest. Pratima's dedication and achievement are a milestone for our institution and a proud moment for the entire region. Her remarkable achievement stands as a testament to courage, endurance, and the spirit of the youth, encouraging more young women from the hills to dream big and scale new heights."Bhraman also confirmed that Pratima and others were currently descending towards the base camp and were in good health.The college administration has lauded Pratima's feat, describing it as a "moment of immense pride" and a significant chapter in its history. "Pratima's extraordinary journey is expected to serve as a powerful inspiration for students throughout the region," said college authorities in a statement.