Despite scaling 20 summits, Reena awaits govt recognition

Reena Bhatti, India’s fastest Everest-Lhotse woman climber and daughter of a tractor mechanic from a humble rural background, has appealed to the government to recognise her achievements.

Known as “Himputri”, Reena hailing from Baalak village of Barwala subdivision of Hisar district, has created history by scaling more than 20 peaks, including the world’s highest in just five years, setting a new national record. She had also set several consecutive national records.

Bhatti said, “Girls not only dream, but they also have the courage to fulfil those dreams. I have set many national records and brought pride to India. I completed the Everest-Lhotse expedition in record time -– scaling Mount Everest (the world’s highest peak) and Mount Lhotse (the world’s fourth-highest peak) in just 20.5 hours, becoming the fastest Indian female mountaineer.”

She also became the first Indian woman to scale Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak (West – 5,642m and East – 5,621m) from both sides in 24 hours on August 15, 2022 as she joined the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and hoisted the Tricolour.

Bhatti said that she became the first Indian woman to climb the Snow Leopard Peak – Peak Lenin in Kyrgyzstan and also climbed Mount Kang Yatse and Mount Dzo Jongo (West face) in 70 hours.

“I am also the first woman from the state to climb Mount Ama Dablam, the most-technical peak in the world located in Nepal, within just five days,” she asserted.

She had also participated in the Depression Against Running event—joining the world’s longest relay race and achieved recognition in the Oxford Book of World Records for completing 10,000 push-ups, she said.

Urging Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini by writing a letter and posting on X tagging the Sports Minister, Bhatti said that she faced many challenges while attempting to climb Mount Everest.

“When I first began the Everest mission in 2023, I had to turn back just 50m from the top due to technical difficulties and severe weather. The incident shook me, but with the support of my family and society, I found the strength to try again.

In May 2024, I successfully reached atop both Everest and Lhotse back-to-back,” she said. Reena Bhatti said that she needs a job from the government and financial assistance. “I’ve made my state proud. I am hopeful the government will also recognise my contribution,” she said.

Haryana Tribune