Meet Aparna Kumar, first female IPS-officer to reach South Pole
What's the story
They say impossible actually means "I am possible" and Aparna Kumar has proved it. Last Sunday, Kumar became the first female IPS officer to conquer the South Pole.
What makes her an inspiration for all is the fact that she went on a difficult expedition despite being hit by pneumonia.
If this wasn't all, her prescription sunglasses broke too. What didn't break was her spirit.
Braveheart
After scaling Everest, Kumar set her eyes on South Pole
Kumar is a 2002 batch IPS cadre and is posted as DIG, ITBP in Dehradun.
She has already scaled the Mount Everest but said unfurling the tricolor on the South Pole was surreal.
About the weather of Antarctica, Kumar told HT, "It is cloudy, windy, icy cold and snowing. It was a great struggle to stay in open in such an extreme weather condition."
Quote
The expedition was far from easy
"Braving high-speed icy wind which slashed my face amid bouts of frostbite and chest congestion made the experience of skiing up to eight hours a day at a temperature of minus 40 degree Celsius memorable," Kumar said.
Taking care
Kumar had to stay cautious to avoid falling ill
Antarctica is the coldest, driest place of earth and Kumar feared she would get frostbites. Since she didn't want to fall ill, Kumar stayed extra careful. She revealed she was constantly coughing.
"I had to finish my drinks, snacks, wear mittens and start warming up my body for skiing till others got ready," she said.
Kumar had taken her pneumonia drugs with her.
Scripting histpry
Kumar said she was blessed, credited success to husband
But nothing hindered her determination. Not even the 35 kgs sled which she described as 'energy sapping'.
While one member from the UK and another from Ireland left the expedition, Kumar kept at it. She reached the South Pole on January 13.
Kumar credited her success to husband Sanjay, who works with Uttar Pradesh government.
The IPS officer considers herself fortunate and we hope she keeps inspiring us.