“I am delighted and heartened to learn of the exploits of Arunima Sinha, who has just become the first Indian woman with an artificial leg to conquer Mount Everest.

Climbing Mount Everest is a stupendous feat for any individual to attempt. Doing so after having one’s leg cut off below the knee, following the trauma of an assault in a train and being thrown off it, as Arunima did, must surely count as an exceedingly rare achievement, not just on account of the physical endurance required, but also the inner courage that would have been deployed in the pursuit of such a mission.

Arunima’s achievement is an example not only to society at large, but also to women everywhere. This young woman looked adversity in the eye and when all seemed lost, decided to make something of her life in the most spectacular fashion possible.

I salute her success, wish her all the best in her future endeavours and hope that her deeds will inspire millions of others.”