Arunima Sinha heading to Australia to climb Mt Kosciuszko

Four years after a life-shattering accident in which she lost a leg, 26-year old Arunima Sinha will be heading next month to Australia to climb its highest peak Kosciuszko after having climbed the world's highest summit Mt Everest.
Sinha, who was awarded Padma Shri today, said she was overwhelmed by the coveted civic honour and is thankful to the country and the media which supported her in the struggle.
On her way to appear for CISF induction test, the national level volleyball player was pushed from a running Padmavat Express by thieves in 2011 as she resisted their attempts to snatch her purse and chain. The train coming from the other side crushed her leg which had to be amputated below the knee as a result.

Within two years of the accident, Sinha was able to climb Mt Everest in 17 hours after receiving training from famous mountaineer Bachendri Pal.
"I had a resolve that I will not let it become my weakness. Instead I will turn it into a strength in such a way that I could achieve which is considered very difficult for every one," Sinha said.
Giving details of her future plans, Sinha said she has decided to climb the highest peaks in each of the continents.
"I have already climbed highest peaks of Asia, Africa, and Europe. And now I am heading to Australia on April 12 which will be followed by North America in June and then later in South America too," she said.