PTI reported that Jharkhand's Ms Premlata Agarwal became the oldest Indian woman to scale the Mount Everest at the age of 45.

Ms Premlata, who is being supported by TATA Steel, is also the first person from Jharkhand to go an expedition to the Mount Everest.

Ms Premlata's preparation for the final summit push began on May 6th 2011, where she went from the base camp (18000 feet) to C2 (Camp 2 at 22,000 feet) and then she climbed to C3 (Camp 3 at 23,000 feet where she had to go on artificial oxygen).

She then reached C4 (Camp 4, South Col 26000 feet) and took rest before beginning her final climb towards the summit. Before going for the expedition, Premlata also undertook a climbing exercise to Island Peak (20,300 feet) in the Everest Region to acclimatize herself to the conditions.

A mother of two daughters, one of whom is married, Ms Premlata started her actual climb from the base camp on April 17th 2011.

Hailing Ms Premlata's feat, Mr Sanjiv Paul VP of Corporate Services at TATA Steel, said that "This is a proud moment for all of us. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Ms Premlata for having achieved this feat and especially to Mr Bachendri Pal for having trained and supported her all the way."

(Sourced from PTI)