Muthamizh Selvi, first Tamil Nadu woman to scale Mt Everest, reaches Chennai; felicitated by Udhayanidhi Stalin

Udhayanidhi took to Twitter and said that Selvi has made the state proud and wished her the best for future.

அழகும் அச்சமும் நிறைந்த எவரஸ்ட் சிகரத்தை ஏறி, சாதிக்க துடித்த சகோதரி முத்தமிழ்ச்செல்விக்கு @SportsTN_ சார்பில் உதவியும் ஊக்கமும் கொடுத்தோம். உறைய வைக்கும் பனியை கடந்து உச்சம் தொட்டு தமிழ்நாட்டிற்குப் பெருமை சேர்த்துள்ளார். அவரின் வெற்றி பயணங்கள் தொடர வாழ்த்துகள். pic.twitter.com/eijTgRZWGT

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) May 30, 2023

Earlier, she was given a rousing welcome on her arrival at the Chennai airport on Tuesday. She told reporters that scaling Mount Everest has been her dream and expressed hope that her achievement will be an inspiration for other women to chase their dream. She thanked Chief Minister M K Stalin, and her family members for their continuous support. She said that nothing is impossible if we keep trying.

“I took 56 days to reach the summit. There were many challenges. People attempting to reach the summit usually carry six oxygen cylinders. Even if you waste a minute, it will be a threat to life. I faced that, I could have died, my oxygen cylinder didn’t work properly and a Mexican mountaineer helped me with the oxygen and I am alive here today,” she said.

According to a communiqué from the government, Selvi was provided financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh by the state government and Rs 10 lakh through other non-governmental organisations for her journey.

During the journey, a few members of her camp died and many were injured but that did not shatter her confidence, Muthamizh Selvi recalled.

She said after returning to the camp, she had to face further challenges as none of her team members were around her. When she sought the help of Udhayanidhi Stalin, he immediately arranged a helicopter to help her reach Kathmandu, Selvi said.

She added that her next goal is to scale the other six summits and bring more laurels to the state.

According to a communiqué from the government, Selvi was provided financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh by the state government and Rs 10 lakh through other non-governmental organisations for her journey.

Another Tamil Nadu native Rajasekhar Pachai, 28, who climbed Mount Everest on May 19, a few days before Selvi’s feat, also met Udhayanidhi Stalin at his office and received his appreciation. A surfing expert, Pachai has completed his BCA at Hindustan Arts and Science College. He reached the summit on May 19.