India’s First Women Mount Yunam Expedition Team Meets Assembly Speaker
Bhubaneswar, August 22, 2026: India’s first women’s mountaineering team has returned to Odisha after successfully scaling Mount Yunam in Himachal Pradesh. The 11-member team, which successfully reached the summit last night, met Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Smt. Surama Padhy in Bhubaneswar this morning. Before embarking on the Mount Yunam expedition on August 7, the team respectfully handed over the Tricolour ice axe they had received from the Speaker. Smt. Padhy had extended her encouragement and best wishes to the team for their challenging expedition. During the expedition, the team climbed to an altitude of 20,100 feet, braving challenging conditions, including adverse weather, low oxygen levels and the steep, rugged terrain of the peak. On Independence Day, the team proudly hoisted an 80-metre-long national flag atop Mount Yunam, bringing immense pride and glory to Odisha.
On this occasion, the Speaker congratulated the team on their remarkable achievement and lauded their courage, determination, and spirit of adventure. She also encouraged women across Odisha to pursue similar interests and cultivate the confidence, determination, and willpower needed to take on challenging goals and accomplish them successfully in the days ahead.
Carrying the 80 mt Tricolour with pride throughout the expedition, the team successfully hoisted the National Flag at the Mount Yunam summit on August 15, marking the culmination of their remarkable achievement. Anita Swain, Sonali Bhoi, Priti Podh, Lili Sahu and Sriyasruti Patro successfully reaching the summit. Tarakant Parida, Purna Chandra Nayak, Somnath Reddy were the supporting team.
After this Sanket Communications Pvt. Ltd. organised a felicitation and award ceremony at its Bhubaneswar office to honour the 11-member women’s mountaineering team. The climbers were felicitated by in recognition of their courage, determination and spirit of adventure. The achievement marks a proud moment for Odisha and serves as an inspiration for young women to pursue challenging goals with confidence and perseverance. At the felicitation ceremony the members shared their experience of this historic journey.
The expedition was jointly organised by the Association for Adventure and Social Activities (AASA) and Sanket Communications, one of Odisha’s leading advertising, digital, and event management organisations.
Ganesh Jena, Everester as well as General Secretary of AASA Foundation, Haresh Kumar Mishra, Vice-President of AASA, Mr. Subhashish Tripathy, Managing Director, Sanket Communications Pvt. Ltd. Were present on this occasion.
