In a feat that blends physical endurance with institutional symbolism, an all-women team of the Border Security Force has successfully scaled Mount Everest, reaching the summit at around 8 am IST and marking the occasion with a rendition of “Vande Mataram” from the world’s highest point.
The expedition, conducted under “Mission Vande Mataram”, was not only a test of high-altitude survival but also a carefully timed statement during the BSF’s Diamond Jubilee year. The team, flagged off from Delhi on April 6, completed the ascent after weeks of preparation and acclimatisation in extreme Himalayan conditions.
Four constables, one summit, and a shared ascent
The team comprised Constable Kouser Fatima from Ladakh, Constable Munmun Ghosh from West Bengal, Constable Rabeka Singh from Uttarakhand and Constable Tsering Chorol from Kargil. Each came from distinct geographies, but their journey converged at a single point of endurance above 8,800 metres, where even basic movement demands extraordinary effort.
According to BSF officials, the women reached the summit at 8,848.86 metres, where oxygen levels are critically low and physical strain intensifies with every step. It was at this altitude that they collectively sang the national song, an act described by the force as a tribute to India’s 150th year of “Vande Mataram” in 2026 and a reflection of collective resilience.
A message from the top of the world
The achievement was acknowledged at the highest levels of government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the team, calling the ascent a powerful expression of courage, patriotism, and discipline. In his message on social media platform X, he highlighted the symbolism of “Nari Shakti” and noted that the feat had been achieved during a milestone year for the force.
Shah described the expedition as a moment of national pride, emphasising that the women had carried India’s spirit to the summit while reinforcing the operational identity of the BSF as a disciplined and resilient force.
A wider landscape of women-led high-altitude success
In parallel, the ITBP also recorded a notable achievement with its first all-women international mountaineering team completing an Everest expedition via the South Col route. The 14-member team, including 11 women, reached the summit earlier in the week, further highlighting a growing presence of women in India’s high-altitude security and adventure operations.
Beyond the climb, a statement of intent
Established in 1965, the BSF serves as India’s primary border guarding force. Its personnel are deployed along sensitive frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as handling internal security responsibilities. This Everest expedition, however, extends its narrative beyond operational duty into a broader expression of endurance, representation, and national identity.
At the summit, where conditions stripped performance to its raw essentials, the moment of collective singing became a defining image of institutional pride. It was less a celebration and more a statement, one that placed four constables at the intersection of national service and extraordinary human endurance.