Poorna - The Youngest Girl in the World to Scale Mount Everest

Poorna’ is the exhilarating journey of a young girl who scales Mount Everest the highest ‘ten thousander’ in the world. All of thirteen years Poorna crosses the boundaries of her small hamlet Pakala in rural Telangana braves the treacherous Death Zone of the Himalayas to reach the Everest Summit. Studying in the Social Welfare Residential School at Tadwai she is chosen for a mountaineering camp. This marks the beginning of her incredible journey to the laps of the Himalayas - dangerous and benevolent at once. ‘Poorna’ is not a biographical account that merely records dates and events. Author Aparna Thota has delved into the mind and heart of her protagonist with warmth sensitivity and a maternal concern as she unravels the raw physical strength and immense fortitude of Poorna in her phenomenal battle with Nature. The book traces each stage of Poorna’s preparation for the challenge -balancing academics and sports; the rigorous training and strict diet; acclimatization to extreme weather conditions; overcoming AMS and the near-fatal moment when her oxygen cylinder was completely drained. Finally it is sheer will power that propels her to the Summit. Poorna’s achievement is the fruition of the vision of Dr.Praveen Kumar IPS Secretary of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society; a vision for his brethren at the margins of society that makes him seek for a transfer from the Police Department to the Welfare Department. The book shows how driven by the highest ideals of human equality and dignity Praveen Kumar designs ‘Operation Everest’ as an ‘opportunity’ toward social justice and empowerment. The moral-ethical dilemmas he experiences in motivating and sending Poorna on this dangerous quest are captured with sensitivity. The commitment and passion of her coaches Parmesh and Sekhar Babu play a crucial role in Poorna’s success.