In a historic feat that has brought immense pride to Himachal Pradesh and the entire nation, 19-year-old Kritika Sharma from Gattadhar, a remote village in the Sangrah subdivision of Sirmaur district, has successfully scaled Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
On May 18, Kritika proudly unfurled the Indian Tricolour, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) flag, and the insignia of her college—Sri Guru Gobind Singh Government College, Paonta Sahib—on the summit, standing tall against life-threatening weather conditions and treacherous terrain.
Possibly the youngest Indian woman NCC cadet to achieve this feat, Kritika has also created history as the first and youngest mountaineer from Himachal Pradesh to conquer Everest. Her ascent is a testament to resilience, rigorous preparation, and unwavering self-belief.
Kritika was part of an elite NCC expedition team flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3, 2025, from New Delhi. The team included 10 cadets, four officers, two Junior Commissioned Officers, one Girl Cadet Instructor, and 10 Non-Commissioned Officers. Selected after grueling written exams, interviews, and intense physical trials, Kritika emerged as the youngest in the group. Her training journey included a pre-Everest expedition to Mt Abi Gamin and rigorous winter and technical training at the Army Mountaineering Institute at Siachen Base Camp.
Despite being a novice in mountaineering and coming from a background where adventure sports are largely unfamiliar, Kritika displayed remarkable courage and commitment. Her endurance, even in sub-zero temperatures and perilous conditions, won the admiration of seasoned Sherpas and teammates alike. The expedition not only tested the cadets' physical strength but also their mental fortitude, as they battled extreme fatigue and adverse weather throughout the climb.
Her father, Bharat Sharma, overwhelmed with pride, shared, “This is the proudest moment of my life. We always believed in her determination, but to see her hoist the Indian flag on Mount Everest is beyond what we ever imagined.”
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also extended heartfelt congratulations to Kritika, commending her indomitable spirit. “She has set a shining example for the youth of Himachal and the nation. Her journey proves that with willpower and dedication, even the highest mountains can be conquered,” he said.
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