We honoured Arunima Sinha, the first disabled woman to conquer Mount Everest. She was presented the Prof Yashwant Rao Kelkar Puruskar (award) by Union human resource development (HRD) minister Smriti Irani, who was the chief guest at the ABVP's 60th national convention which concluded on Sunday.
On this occasion, the HRD minister complimented the disabled climber for her courage and her commitment. She urged the youth to look up to "this great woman in difficult times and seek inspiration from her".
Irani announced that Arunima will be the brand ambassador of the Prime Minister's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan from her home state Uttar Pradesh (UP). The minister made this offer while sitting beside Arunima during the award presentation ceremony.
"As per the Prime Minister's announcement we are to select nine 'rattans' or brand ambassadors among Indians who have excelled in different fields. Arunima has done the nation proud', she said while addressing the convention.
Arunima, speaking on the occasion, narrated her Everest experience and urged the youth to instill in themselves "a passion for achieving something". She added, "Only then they can achieve what they have set out to. You must be ready to take risks because if you are not then you are never going to succeed".