Sunita Singh Choken | |
|---|---|
 Kolahoi Peak expedition, 2019 | |
| Occupations | Mountaineer, activist |
| Known for | ClimbingMount Everest,Beti Bachao Beti Padhao |
| Awards | Nari Shakti Puraskar (2016) |
Sunita Singh Choken (bornc. 1985) is an Indian mountaineer and activist. She climbedMount Everest in 2011. Afterwards she did two long-distance cycle trips to promote both the environment and the "Save, educate the girl child" campaign (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao). She has received several awards including the 2016Nari Shakti Puraskar.
Sunita Singh Choken was born in 1985 in a HinduGurjar Family.[1] She grew up inRewari (Haryana) andKishorpura (Rajasthan) finishing her schooling inAmritsar, (Punjab).[2][3] Her father worked for theBorder Security Force.[2]Choken studied mountaineering inManali andDarjeeling.[3]
Choken climbed five mountains in Manali, Darjeeling andUttarkashi, then was chosen byNepal to join an expedition going to the summit ofMount Everest.[3] She climbed Everest in 2011, at the age of 25, making her the youngest woman from Haryana to make the ascent.[1][4] She then scaled several other Himalayan peaks.[5]
In 2017, Choken began a cycle trip of 4,200 km fromKanyakumari toLeh aiming to promote the campaigns "Save, educate the girl child" (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao) and "Preserve environment".[1][3] She ultimately covered 4,656 km and planted 220 trees along the route.[2] After the trip, she returned to Amritsar to teach yoga, on the invitation ofVivekananda Kendra.[2] Choken was appointed adeputy superintendent of police (DSP) inHaryana Police in 2018 following a decision by thePunjab and Haryana High Court regarding the previous appointment to DSP ofMamta Sodha.[6] Also in 2018, she made another cycle trip to promote Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, this time covering a distance of 5,000 km from theSomnath Temple (Gujarat) to Nepal.[5]
Choken received the 2016Nari Shakti Puraskar, presented by thePresident of India,Pranab Mukherjee.[4] She has also been recognised with the Border Security Force Brave Daughter, the Bharat Gaurav and the Kalpana Chawla awards.[5]