The people of Chandannagar and mountaineers have hailed the rare achievement by Piyali Basak (31), who conquered the summit of Mt Everest without any oxygen support.

The state information and cultural affairs minister Indranil Sen today felicitated and handed over a cheque of Rs 3 lakh to Piyali Basak at Chandannagar. The initiative was taken by the Chandannagar Utsav Committee.

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Minister Sen, who is also MLA from Chandannagar encouraged Piyali to go ahead with her unfulfilled dreams to conquer the maximum number of summits without oxygen to set a world record, thus bringing name and fame to the state as well as to the nation. The state minister asked Piyali to communicate with the state sports department to avail maximum help towards her upcoming expeditions.

Piyali expressed her gratitude and thanked the state minister and the Chandannagar Utsav Committee for the cheque and financial help.

Piyali said, “Financial constraints are becoming a great obstacle towards achieving my final goal to set a world record, even my certificate of recognition towards conquering the Mt Everest summit remains withheld for want of Rs 6 lakh. Till date, I have a debt of Rs 35 lakh on my head. I appeal to the state and central governments and corporate houses to stand by my side.”

Piyali, a resident of Chandannagar, comes from a poor family and is employed with Kanailal Vidayamandir as a para teacher in the primary section.

Piyali’s mother Swapna  said, “Piyali, from the very beginning, possessed a great love for mountains. She could not resist the call of the mountains, her practice continued amidst poverty, some benevolent persons came forward to assist Piyali to achieve her goal to conquer Mt Everest without oxygen support. Her strong determination, dedication and breathing exercises helped her to go ahead towards fulfillment of her dreams.”

Piyali, in 2019 without oxygen support, unfortunately missed the Mt Everest summit by 300 mts. But  this year, with strong dedication and determination she set out once again without oxygen support .

 The people of Chandannagar, mountain lovers and her well wishers hailed the great achievement.

The mother of piyali said, the Chandannagar corporation assisted with 5000,00, the mayor of Chandannagar Ram Chakraborty personally extended help, still we are in great debt, help from the state and central government can only bring out our family  from the great burden of debt.