Assam CM Honours First Woman Everest Summiteer Rupamoni Gorh

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Tuesday, 28 July 2026

At Lok Sewa Bhawan, Dispur, the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has congratulated Assam's first woman Mount Everest summiteer Rupamoni Gorh and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Assistant Commandant Bhanita Timungpi for their accomplishment. The Assam government announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh for mountaineer Rupamoni Gorh and ₹2 lakh for Bhanita Timungpi, who have made outstanding contributions to Indian mountaineering and women's achievements in adventure sports, respectively.

Rupamoni Gorh from Na-Gaon Pathar village, under the jurisdiction of Lakhimpur district's Boginadi area made the successful ascent to the world's highest peak, May 21, during the All-Women Everest Expedition conducted by ITBP. Her feat is a historic one as it has been the first time a woman has scaled Mount Everest from the Assam region of the country.

This was organised by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under its flagship project ‘Nari Shakti Vandan' and consisted of a team of 11 women climbers and 14 male climbers. Bhanita Timungpi, with her extensive experience and leadership, was at the helm of the team and played a key role in the success of the mission.

Key Highlights

• Assam honours first woman Everest climber with ₹10 lakh assistance
• ITBP officer Bhanita Timungpi receives ₹2 lakh for expedition leadership
• Road connecting Rupamoni’s village to be renamed in her honour

Congratulating Rupamoni Gorh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commented that her success on Everest is an example of the empowerment of women in adventure sport and how determination can overcome barriers came as a reflection of his belief that women have a growing voice in adventure sports and are breaking down the barriers. He also said her success would encourage young females everywhere in the state to aspire to great things.

The Chief Minister highlighted that in her mountaineering career; she has scaled over 30 Himalayan peaks and has been the leader of the expedition. Her expertise was key to the success of the all-female expedition, he said. Biswa also credited her outstanding service with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Africa and said that she has been felicitated by the President of India for her services.

In recognition of Rupamoni Gorh's historic feat, the Chief Minister announced that the new road linking her house to Lilabari High School would be named Rupamoni Gorh Path and a one-kilometre stretch of it will be newly built. The proposal was initiated by Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka as a tribute to her remarkable accomplishment.

Biswa also reflected on Assam’s rich mountaineering history, recognising the contributions of the Assam Mountaineering Association, established in 1968 by Rohini Kumar Bhuyan and Atanu Prasad Barua. He said that Bethartoli South was the first peak climbed by Rohini Kumar Bhuyan and Khagendra Nath Bora in 1970 and Mrigthuni Peak by Ajit Sarma and Bhagat Singh were later climbed. He also paid homage to Rohini Kumar Bhuyan, who had established The Adventurers in 1974 and lost his life in a snow storm when returning from Kedarnath Dome in 1979.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that Tarun Saikia is the first Assamese to climb Mount Everest in 2013, followed by another Assamese Manish Deka in the same year, while Nanda Dulal Das, Henry David Terang, Kharsing Terang and Nava Kumar Phukan have also made Mount Everest in 2015.

Biswa said the youth should jump into adventure sports, as mountaineering is a good career option and the government is always there to help the young climbers. In response to the ongoing Commonwealth Games, he also conveyed his sense of pride that Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain was part of the Indian team, carrying the national flag in the opening march past.