Wansuk Myrthong, the first tribal Khasi woman from Meghalaya to scale Mount Everest, received a tumultuous reception here Tuesday on her return from New Delhi.
A large number of people drove down to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati to welcome home Myrthong, 30.
This is the second time that a Meghalayan has scaled the highest peak in the world after Gary Jarman Lamare, a photographer with Discovery Channel who achieved the feat last year.
"It feels really good to be home after I fulfilled my dream. I am really proud of being the first woman to summit the Mount Everest. It is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement," Myrthong told IANS.
Myrthong, an armed police constable in the 1st Meghalaya Police battalion, was one among the 16 climbers of the first Northeast India Top of the World Mount Everest Expedition 2013, which was flagged off by President Pranab Mukherjee from Rashtrapati Bhavan March 20. She achieved the feat around 8.30 a.m. May 18.
"My entire journey to the world's highest peak was a good experience. It was gruelling exercise but nonetheless, I can tell you I am the happiest person after fulfilling my dream," she said.
Asked about her experience atop the 8,848-metre Mount Everest, Myrthong said: "When we reached the summit, I couldn't believe it that I had stepped on the world's highest peak. But I thank God for giving me the energy."
She added: "Given a chance, I will continue to climb Mount Everest again in the months or years to come."
Myrthong's mother Angela said: "It is a proud moment not only for the family but for the people of Meghalaya. She (Wansuk) has added another feather in her cap because of her hard work and her adventurous skill."
Congratulating the new state Everester, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said: "It just goes to prove that when one aspires sincerely, nothing is impossible to achieve."
"Wansuk has made us all proud," Sangma told IANS
Home Minister Roshan Warjri said a "suitable reward" will be given to Myrthong.
"An out of turn promotion to Wansuk for her achievement as acknowledgement by the department," Warjri indicated.
