Full Breakdown
BSF Women Scale Everest, Sing “Vande Mataram” in First All-Women Summit
5/30/2026, 1:23:55 AM
Summit Success: First All-Women BSF Team Reaches Everest’s Summit
On 21 May 2026 at 08:00 h, four BSF constables—Kouser Fatima, Tsering Chorol, Munmun Ghosh and Rabeka Singh—reached the 8,848-m summit of Mount Everest and sang “Vande Mataram”, the first all-women BSF team to do so.
Background & Preparation: Mission Vande Mataram and the Road to the Summit
The expedition, named “Mission Vande Mataram”, was launched during the BSF’s Diamond Jubilee year and the 150th anniversary of the national song. IPS officer Raja Babu Singh proposed the project to showcase women constables in adventure. Training began with basic and advanced mountaineering courses in Manali and Dehradun, followed by climbs near Nanda Devi. The team left New Delhi on 6 April 2026, set up base camp, and moved through four higher camps before the summit push on 21 May.
Participants: The Team and Supporting Leaders
The team included constables Kouser Fatima (Ladakh), Tsering Chorol (Kargil), Rabeka Singh (Uttarakhand) and Munmun Ghosh (West Bengal). Training was led by Padma Shri mountaineer Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu. BSF Director General Praveen Kumar flagged off the mission; Commandant (Sports) Parminder Kumar oversaw selection.
Data & Impact: Numbers and Broader Significance
Four women constables summited at 08:00 h on 21 May 2026, 8,848 m, in sub--30 °C weather. The night ascent lasted about 14 hours. On descent they removed ~400 kg of waste, tackling Everest’s pollution. The climb highlights expanding roles for women in India’s defence forces and a responsible approach to high-altitude expeditions.
Official Statements & Responses
BSF Director General Praveen Kumar inaugurated the mission on 6 April 2026, citing national pride. Parminder Kumar said selection was based on training performance, physical readiness and prior experience. Trainer Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu stressed that Everest success requires patience, preparation and mental discipline, not speed. The force framed the summit as a milestone for gender inclusion and environmental stewardship.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We selected enthusiastic women soldiers and started grooming them for mountaineering. I designed the programme, supported them, and sent them for specialised training,” — Raja Babu Singh, IPS officer
- “They were given basic and advanced mountaineering courses. Then came orientation training in Manali. After that, the final team was chosen for the Everest mission,” — Parminder Kumar, BSF Commandant (Sports)
- “And we wanted them to sing Vande Mataram from the summit despite the extreme conditions. That itself was a major challenge.” — Parminder Kumar
- “You just need the courage to accept the challenge.” — Parminder Kumar
What’s Next
BSF officials plan to expand women-led adventure programmes, such as river-rafting, coastal-cycling and further high-altitude expeditions, building on Mission Vande Mataram.
