05/12/2025
Pune’s Arishka Laddha captivated the nation when, at the age of six, she achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC), becoming the youngest Indian girl to successfully complete the arduous trek. Accompanied by her mother, Dimple Laddha, Arishka successfully completed the 130-kilometer round trip expedition to the base camp, situated at an altitude exceeding 17,500 feet (5,364 meters). The journey, which took 15 days, required Arishka to endure extreme cold, with temperatures plummeting as low as -17°C, necessitating multiple layers of clothing. Despite cautions from experts regarding the physical demands on such a young child, Arishka’s mother noted the girl's active lifestyle, which included frequent treks to local forts around Pune, prepared her for the challenge. While the record is frequently updated by younger achievers, Arishka's unwavering spirit and ambition, including her stated wish to eventually conquer the summit itself, established her as an incredible inspiration for young adventurers.