Inspired by her meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, now sets her sights on conquering Mount Everest
Peaks and Plastic initiative spreads the message of a clean Himalayas, combining adventure with environmental responsibility
Two-day trek from Gangotri to Rudragaira followed by a steep 1,300-metre ascent
Lucknow, September 2026 : Purva Dhawan, a mountaineer from Lucknow who embarked on her expedition carrying the message of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao after meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has brought pride to the state by hoisting the Indian Tricolour atop the 5,826-metre-high Mount Rudragaira. Reaching the summit at 12:30 pm on September 10, 2026, Purva achieved this feat despite challenging snowy and rocky terrain, low oxygen levels and difficult climbing conditions. Her next goal is to conquer the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
In May 2018, Purva met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and presented him with a Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao banner. CM Yogi encouraged her and extended his best wishes. Purva credited the success of her Rudragaira expedition to the support of her family and the inspiration she received from the Chief Minister. Shailesh Semwal and Bihari Singh Rana also played an important role in the expedition, as Purva underwent special training in Gangotri under their guidance.
Purva, along with Shailesh Semwal and Bihari Singh Rana, began the trek from Gangotri at 9:00 am on September 7. After two days of challenging trekking, the team reached the Rudragaira Base Camp at an altitude of 4,350 metres. On September 10, the summit push began from the base camp at 4:00 am. During an arduous climb of nearly eight hours and 30 minutes, the team gained approximately 1,300 metres in elevation and reached the 5,826-metre summit at 12:30 pm.
The route included steep snow slopes, rocky stretches and difficult exposed sections. As the altitude increased, low oxygen levels and physical exhaustion added to the challenge, but the team remained determined throughout the ascent. Purva noted that the encouragement she received during her meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath became a source of motivation for the expedition and continues to inspire her pursuit of new goals.
Purva has also linked her mountaineering mission with environmental conservation. Through the Peaks and Plastic initiative, she is spreading awareness about plastic waste in mountainous regions and promoting responsible mountaineering practices. According to Purva, conquering Himalayan peaks is a matter of pride, but keeping them clean and protected is equally important.
After hoisting the Tricolour on Rudragaira, Purva has now set her sights on the 8,848.86-metre-high Mount Everest. Her objective is to unfurl the Indian Tricolour atop Everest while carrying forward the messages of women’s empowerment, youth inspiration and a clean Himalayas.
