From Sribhumi to the Himalayas: How Rajashree Roy Conquered Mount Rhenock Against All Odds

Nineteen-year-old Rajashree Roy from Sribhumi has become a source of pride for Assam after successfully summiting the 5,030-metre-high Mount Rhenock in the Sikkim Himalayan region. A fourth-semester college student and NCC cadet of 4 Assam Battalion NCC, she reached the summit on 18 May at around 10:30 am after completing a physically and mentally demanding expedition.

Her achievement has made her the first cadet from 4 Assam Battalion NCC and among the first from Sribhumi district to complete the challenging high-altitude expedition. Battling freezing temperatures, injuries, breathing problems and exhaustion, Rajashree carried the Assamese Gamusa with her to the summit, proudly representing Assam and the Barak Valley at the top of the mountain.

“Everyone is capable of something. Sometimes all we need is one push and the right support to realise what we can truly become,” Rajashree Roy told Barak Bulletin.

Rajashree said she had no idea that special camps existed for mountaineering training until she got selected for a 28-day basic course at the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) in Arunachal Pradesh. The opportunity excited her immediately, but she soon realised the training would be far tougher than she had imagined both physically and mentally.

On the very first day of the training camp, participants were instructed to complete twenty push-ups. Soon after, the trekking sessions began with long-distance walks carrying heavy bags. Initially, trainees carried five kilograms over nearly twenty kilometres, but the distance and weight gradually increased. Rajashree admitted that the experience pushed her beyond her comfort zone and completely tested her endurance and determination.

She recalled that her college is only three kilometres away from her home, yet she usually travels there by vehicle. During the camp, however, she had to walk ten to twenty kilometres carrying backpacks weighing between five and fifteen kilograms. According to her, the harsh routine made her believe the mountaineering course would probably be her first and last adventure in the mountains.

Despite her doubts, things changed unexpectedly when she was selected for the advanced mountaineering course at NIMAS, which lasted thirty-two days. During that period, she first learned about expedition climbing, and the idea instantly became her dream. Rajashree said she wanted to attempt such expeditions through NCC, but even without support she had decided she would save money and pursue the dream independently.

Her determination became even clearer when she chose the expedition over her ongoing college examinations. During the climb to Mount Rhenock’s summit, she suffered several health issues including nosebleeds, vomiting, breathing difficulties and painful sores around her eyes. Although the medical team accompanying the expedition ensured her safety, Rajashree admitted she never expected the mountain to challenge her body to such an extreme extent.

Still, the moment she reached the summit made every struggle worthwhile. Rajashree described the view from the top as magnificent and said the adrenaline rush she felt after completing the climb was impossible to explain in words. Standing above the clouds after days of hardship gave her a sense of achievement and confidence that she had never experienced before in life.

Wanting to represent her roots proudly, Rajashree carried an Assamese Gamusa to the summit and wrote the names of her district and state on it. She displayed it at the top of Mount Rhenock and captured photographs with it. According to her, she only wanted to create an identity for Sribhumi and Assam, never expecting the gesture and her achievement to receive such widespread recognition afterwards.

Now, Rajashree dreams of climbing even higher peaks in the future. She hopes to take part in an expedition above seven thousand metres and eventually wishes to attempt Mount Everest one day. She believes becoming one of the first climbers from the Barak Valley to scale Everest would be a proud achievement not only for herself but also for the entire region.

Sharing a message for the younger generation of the Barak Valley, Rajashree encouraged students and youths to participate in camps and activities that challenge them. She said such opportunities help people discover abilities they never knew they possessed. According to her, proper encouragement and support from families can help young people show the world their real strength, talent and potential.