Agartala: Tripura’s Aritra Roy, a seasoned mountaineer and environmental advocate, has embarked on a groundbreaking journey to conquer Mount Everest, blending adventure with a message of sustainability.
Flagged off by the Assam Rifles, Aritra’s expedition commenced with an extraordinary 1,500-kilometer cycling trip from Agartala to Phaplu, Nepal.
The 20-day cycling journey, which highlights eco-friendly transportation and resilience, marks the beginning of Aritra’s ambitious quest to become the first mountaineer from Tripura to scale the world’s highest peak.
Aritra, a certified mountaineer from Agartala, has previously summited Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus, and honed his skills at the prestigious Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling.
A defence spokesman lauded Aritra’s determination and emphasized the Assam Rifles’ pivotal role in his preparation.
The paramilitary force provided essential training in endurance and survival, along with logistical and administrative support for the cycling leg of his expedition.
“This mission is more than a personal milestone; it is a call to embrace fitness, adventure, and ecological responsibility,” Aritra said at the flag-off ceremony.
“I am deeply grateful to the Assam Rifles for their unwavering support, and I am committed to making my state and country proud.”
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After completing his cycling journey by April 3, Aritra will transition to the trekking and climbing phases of his expedition.
If successful, his achievement will culminate in participation in the Everest Marathon on May 29, a gruelling race from Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazaar.
Aritra’s expedition symbolizes the confluence of endurance sports, environmental consciousness, and national pride.
His journey serves as an inspiring testament to human determination and ecological responsibility, embodying the spirit of adventure that transcends personal boundaries.