Mountaineer Rama Sengupta Paul passes away
Kolkata, April 21 (IBNS): A pall of gloom descended on the mountaineering fraternity as veteran lady mountaineer of the country Rama Sengupta Paul, who led the first successful all women expedition to Krdarnath Dome in Garhwal Himalaya, died here following a cardiac arrest on Sunday.She was 66.
Rama was admitted to the hospital on Mar 15 last after she sustained burn injuries while offering prayer to their house deity.
She is survived by two daughters while her husband predeceased her about a few years back.
A tryst with rock climbing training courses in Sushunia Hill, organized by Pathikrit and thereafter Himalayan Association in 1971 and 1972 led Rama enter the world of mountaineering.
After completing basic mountaineering course from HMI Darjeeling and then advance courses from both HMI and NIM Uttar Kashi during early 1970s, Rama led the all womaen expedition to Mt. Kedarnath Dome in Garhwal Himalaya.
Rama was a member of Indo-Japanese Women expedition to Kamet and Abi Gamin organized by Indian Mountaineering Foudation in 1976.
In 1978 she led another all women expedition of Himalayan Association to Dharamsura in Himachal Pradesh. She was part of Indian women climbing delegation to Japan by IMF where they climbed several peaks in Japanese Alps during 1979.
Rama successfully attended Skiing Courses at Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir before taking part in the International Climbing Camp which was held on Gangotri glacier in 1981. She was also a member of the pre-Everest expedition to Gangotri peak, organized by IMF in 1982.
Beside acting as Guest Instructor in Adventure Course for girls at HMI Darjeeling, Rama, a retired bank officer, guided youths and students at many rock climbing and adventure camps in West Bengal. Rama also trekked in various parts of Indian and Nepal Himalaya.
Chairman of Indian Mountaineering Foundation East Zone Committee and President of Himalayan Association Ujjwal Ganguly has condoled the death of Rama. In a message of condolence Ganguly said, "Rama was a noted climber during her time.Rama’s death has left a void among the mountaineers and adventure lovers of the country.”
(Reporting by Manik Banerjee)
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