Teenager shows unsatiable hunger for adventure

Bangalore, July 19 (UNI) A teenaged girl, once a chronic asthmatic, has become the first Indian woman to taste success in diverse adventure sports and is well on her way to claim the prestigious 'Gold Card' to attain the status of international mountaineer.

Nineteen-year-old Priyanka had taken to mountaineering four years ago to overcome asthma. It soon became her passion and under the tutelage of the Adventure Sports Association of India (ASAI), she went on to become a qualified mountaineer, rock climber, paraglider, martial artist and scuba diver.

A final year BBM student at the Maharani Ammani College in the city, Priyanka was introduced to mountaineering at the age of 15 by her mother. Within a short span of time, she was selected for the Friendship Peak Expedition (Triple Peak Expedition in Himachal Pradesh) in 2000 and since then there was no looking back.

She took part in various events, including Nanda G Expedition in Kumaon Himalayan ranges of Uttaranchal in 2002, Kalindi and Chhota Shivling Expedition in Garhwal Himalayan Ranges, 2003, and CB-16 Expedition in Himachal Pradesh, 2004.

Narrating her experiences to the media here, Priyanka said despite staring death in the eye during her second expedition in the Kumaon Himalayan ranges, her steely nerves helped her reach the Summit. She had become unconscious after scaling 18,000 ft due to Hypotonia. ''I was taken to a rescue camp and given treatment.

Despite the narrow escape, I completed the expedition after taking some days rest. Except for this incident, I have not suffered any setback.'' Priyanka's unquenched thirst for adventure activities drove her to other sports like scuba diving, rock climbing and paragliding.

She turned to martial arts to build her stamina and became a blue belt holder.

Training at the Dive India Institute at Havelock Island of Andaman and Nicobar, enabled her to become a certified Advance Open Water Diver from Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Australia.

Priyanka would be leading a 80-strong Indian girls team, selected from 16 states, at the international expedition in Rudragaya, Uttar Pradesh, in the Himalayan range next month.

She would be leaving for Australia in December next to attempt for the Gold Card. ''I will have to take up a course comprising 17 subjects. I wish to complete it in two attempts,'' she added.

Lauding Priyanka's achievements, ASAI Secretary Babu T Raghu said ''It is not rare for some women to take part in isolated adventure activities, but it is very unusual for traditional Indian women to take part in such diverse adventure activities and attain success.'' He exuded confidence that her achievement would encourage other Indian girls to take to Adventure Sports, which was yet to gain popularity in the country.

Seeking sponsorship to help Priyanka scale greater heights, he lamented that repeated appeals to corporates for sponsorship were of no avail.

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