Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Odisha's first all-women team embarks on Mount Yunam expedition
A team of women from Odisha, a state in India, is going on a big adventure to climb a very tall mountain.
The mountain is called Mount Yunam, and it is 20,100 feet high.
There are 11 women on the team, and they are being led by a mountaineer named Anita Swain.
Some of the women have climbed mountains before, while others are doing it for the very first time.
The youngest member of the team is a 13-year-old girl named Aradhya Jena.
They are carrying a very long Indian flag that is 80 metres long.
On August 15, which is India's Independence Day, they want to put the flag on top of the mountain.
This is their way of celebrating their country's 80th Independence Day.
The team wants to show that women can do amazing things and encourage other young people to try adventure sports.
They will return home to Bhubaneswar on August 20.
Odisha's first all-women mountaineering team, an 11-member squad led by Anita Swain, departs for Mount Yunam on August 7.
The team plans to unfurl an 80-metre-long Tricolour atop the 20,100-foot peak on August 15, India's 80th Independence Day.
The team comprises five experienced mountaineers, five first-time high-altitude climbers and 13-year-old Aradhya Jena, the youngest member.
The expedition is organised by the Association for Adventure & Social Activities (AASA), Odisha, in association with Sanket Communications.
Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy handed over the national flag to the team, which is scheduled to return to Bhubaneswar on August 20.
- Who
- Odisha's 11-member all-women mountaineering team led by Anita Swain, organised by AASA Odisha with Sanket Communications
- What
- An expedition to scale Mount Yunam (20,100 ft) and unfurl an 80-metre Tricolour atop the peak
- When
- Departs August 7; flag unfurling planned for August 15; return to Bhubaneswar on August 20
- Where
- Mount Yunam in Himachal Pradesh; team flagged off at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Why
- To mark India's 80th Independence Day and promote adventure sports, women empowerment and youth leadership
- Expedition
- Mount Yunam, Himachal Pradesh (20,100 ft)
- Team
- 11 women; Odisha's first all-women mountaineering team
- Team leader
- Anita Swain
- Youngest member
- Aradhya Jena, 13 years old
- Flag plan
- 80-metre Tricolour unfurled on peak on August 15
- Departure
- August 7
- Return
- August 20, Bhubaneswar
- Organisers
- AASA Odisha with Sanket Communications