Sports minister lauds amputee Everest climber Arunima

Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh Thursday congratulated Arunima Sinha for climbing the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.

Arunima, a former national level volleyball player, had lost her right leg after being thrown off a moving train by some hoodlums. She created history Tuesday by becoming the world's first female amputee and first Indian amputee to summit the Everest.

"Congratulations for having scaled the Mount Everest. This incredible achievement shows your sheer grit and indomitable courage against heavy odds. Your efforts and achievements show that a physical handicap is not a deterrent to achieve greatest heights and glory. This will be a source of inspiration to athletes not only from India but from across the world. Wish you many more successes in life," said the sports minister in a statement.

The 25-year-old was pushed out of a compartment of Padmawati Express for resisting a chain-snatching attempt by some criminals while travelling from Lucknow to Delhi April 12, 2011. She was hit by a passing train and was seriously injured.

Arunima was hospitalised with serious leg and pelvic injuries and in a bid to save her life, doctors had to amputate her left leg below the knee.