Poorna Malavath: Inspiring Journey from Telangana to the Top of Everest

On 10^th June 2000, in Pakala village of Nizamabad district, Telangana, Poorna Malavath was born. Dependent on agriculture and daily wage labour, her family belonged to the Lambada tribal community. Poorna’s father, Devidas, and her mother, Lakshmi, worked tirelessly in the fields to provide for their children. Like many rural families in Telangana, they faced economic hardships, yet they nurtured resilience and dignity in their children.

For Poorna, childhood was far from the basic luxuries of life. She attended a local school under the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS). It was within this system that her talent and potential began to shine. The visionary leadership of Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar, IPS, who worked to empower underprivileged students, recognized Poorna’s unique spirit and strength. His encouragement set her on a path that would eventually take her to the world’s highest peaks.

Discovering a Passion for Mountaineering

Mountaineering is not a sport that young girls from rural Telangana are typically introduced to. For Poorna, the journey began almost by accident. TSWREIS initiated an adventure training program to encourage students to explore outdoor activities and develop steadfastness. When Poorna participated in rock climbing and trekking sessions, her instructors were stunned by her stamina and natural climbing ability.

What started as a training exercise soon evolved into a larger mission. When TSWREIS launched Operation Everest, a program to send students from marginalized communities to climb the world’s highest mountain, Poorna was chosen alongside another student, Anand Kumar. This slowly turned from mountaineering to breaking social barriers.

Poorna Malavath’s Historic Climb: Mount Everest 2014

On 25 May 2014, Poorna Malavath made history. At only 13 years and 11 months old, she became the youngest girl in the world to scale Mount Everest.

The expedition was far from easy. Poorna had to endure weeks of grueling training, battling extreme cold, high altitudes, and thin air. She trekked through icefalls, climbed ridges, and endured temperatures dipping below –40°C. There were moments of doubt, fatigue, and fear. But what kept her going was the community she represented- the countless children from poor and marginalized backgrounds who were watching her story, and idolizing her. Poorna carried the hopes of her community to the top of the world, proving that limitations are often only mental.

Conquering the Seven Summits

Climbing Mount Everest was just the beginning. Poorna continued her mountaineering journey, determined to achieve what very few people in the world have done- climb the Seven Summits, the tallest mountains on each continent.

• Mount Everest (Asia) – 2014
• Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) – 2016
• Mount Elbrus (Europe) – 27 July 2017, where she proudly unfurled a 50-foot Indian tricolor and sang the national anthem.
• Aconcagua (South America) – 2019
• Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) – 2019
• Vinson Massif (Antarctica) – 2019
• Denali (North America) – 5 June 2022, completing the Seven Summits dream.

By 2022, at just 22 years old, Poorna had already joined the elite group of mountaineers who had conquered these seven legendary peaks.

Challenges Faced on the Way

Behind the glory of summits are stories of pain, sacrifice, and perseverance. Poorna trained under severe conditions, often pushing her body to the limit. Coming from a poor family, she also faced financial challenges, but TSWREIS ensured she received support, gear, and coaching from experienced trainers.

Her journey also meant breaking cultural barriers. As a young tribal girl, there were societal doubts about whether she should take up such risky ventures. But Poorna’s determination silenced critics.

Poorna Malavath’s Recognition and the Biopic 

In 2017, Poorna’s story reached wider audiences through the biopic “Poorna: Courage Has No Limit“, directed by actor and filmmaker Rahul Bose. The film portrayed her struggles, her humble background, and the historic Everest climb. It inspired countless young people across India, particularly girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, to dream beyond imposed norms.

Poorna’s journey has also been captured in books, interviews, and motivational talks. She continues to be a sought-after speaker, addressing conferences worldwide on themes of courage and empowerment.

Poorna Malavath’s extraordinary achievements have earned her numerous awards and honors, including the Ruby Jubilee Healthcare award from the then President of INDIA, Sri APJ Abdul Kalam, the Excellence award by the President of India, Sri Pranab Mukherji, the Amazing Indians Awards 2016 from the Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi, and the JFW Awards 2018.

The Symbolism of Her Journey

Poorna’s achievements are not just about mountaineering. They symbolize something much larger- the fight against inequality, poverty, and stereotypes. For millions of young girls in rural India, she represents possibility. For marginalized communities, she embodies dignity and pride. And for the country, she stands as proof that talent knows no boundaries of class, caste, or geography.

Her story reminds us that dreams are not limited by circumstances; they are limited only by belief. Even after completing the Seven Summits, Poorna Malavath’s journey is nowhere close to the end. She is pursuing her studies, engaging in leadership programs, and exploring ways to inspire the next generation. She dreams of creating opportunities for tribal children to access education, adventure, and platforms that can transform their lives.

Poorna has also become a global face for resilience, speaking at conferences like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Conference, where she shares her message of courage and empowerment.

Legacy of Inspiration

Poorna Malavath’s life is an emblem of hope. From the dusty lanes of Telangana to the icy peaks of Everest, her journey has rewritten what is possible for young girls in India. She has shown that courage does not come from privilege but from determination, and that true inspiration often rises from the humblest roots.

Today, her story continues to fly across schools, universities, and motivational platforms. For the world, she is a mountaineer. For India, she is a hero. And for countless children, she is a reminder that even the tallest mountains can be climbed when dreams are stronger than societal restraints and self-doubts.

Poorna as a Universal Symbol of Indian Resilience

Poorna’s story, while rooted in Telangana, finds a profound echo within the vast global Indian Community. From the sugar plantations of the Caribbean to the Silicon Valley boardrooms, the narrative of the diaspora is frequently one of relentless struggle, defying poverty, and triumphing over social and economic obstacles mirroring her own ascent. Her journey to the world’s highest peaks, flying the Indian tricolor across continents, becomes a symbolic affirmation for every non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin, validating the universal power of Indian resilience and aspiration that thrives regardless of geography. She stands as a shining beacon, connecting the deep-rooted values of the homeland with the boundless ambitions of its global citizens.

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