Meet Vennapusa Sreelatha, of Patha Girayapalle in Pendlimarri Mandal of Kadapa district, who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, known for its snow-capped peaks. Now, she wants to climb Mount Everest with the support of the government and sponsors to realise her dream.

Born to V Venkata Chandra Reddy and Ayyavaramma in an agricultural family, Sreelatha earned her degree from Women's College in Kadapa in 2016. Sreelatha who got an NCC B Certificate won medals in kho kho and athletics while doing her Master's. Later, she was selected for training in trekking. With that done, she focused on mountaineering and got further training in Jammu & Kashmir.

Sreelatha climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which is 5,895 meters above sea level on September 13, 2018, and hoisted the Indian flag there. She won accolades and praise from the Department of Youth Affairs for achieving that feat.

Sreelatha was married to Mahendranath Reddy in 2019 and the couple had a child. While her husband is working at Western Diamond Cement Company in Africa, Sreelatha has been making efforts to realise her dream of scaling Everest. The expedition though ardous and expensive didn't deter the young lady from heading towards it. Special provisions are required to complete the mountaineering trek.

Scaling the Mount Kilimanjaro in a sub-zero temperature is an adventurous experience. We need to be strong and sturdy while climbing mountains. It also needs yoga and meditation to stay mentally determined.

When the country is still sometimes struck by gender biases, people like Sreelatha prove time and again that gender identity is not a barrier to unwavering goals. She is in high hopes of completing her desire.

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Reference:

• newsindianexpress.com