Poonam Kanwar, a determined young woman hailing from Jharli village in Sikar district, has etched her name in mountaineering history by successfully scaling Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. The challenging expedition commenced on August 10 when she departed from the RPF headquarters. After navigating severe weather and rigorous climbing conditions, she reached the summit of the 18,510-foot-high mountain on August 21 at exactly 11:45 AM Indian Standard Time. Upon reaching the peak, she proudly hoisted the Indian national flag alongside the official RPF departmental banner, bringing immense pride to the nation and her department.
Conquering Three Continents
This remarkable feat on Mount Elbrus marks another glorious chapter in Poonam's ongoing mountaineering journey. Previously, she has hoisted the tricolor atop the highest peaks of other major continents. In 2024, she successfully scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, which stands at 19,341 feet. Following that achievement, she conquered Australia and Oceania highest summit, Mount Kosciuszko, standing at 7,310 feet in 2025. By adding Europe highest peak to her list of accomplishments in 2026, she moves closer to her ultimate goal. Poonam ambitions extend far beyond these three mountains, as she aims to conquer the highest summits across all seven continents, with her biggest dream being to plant the Indian flag on Mount Everest.
The Eleven-Day Expedition
Poonam returned triumphant after fulfilling the exact mission she set out to accomplish. Senior officials at the RPF headquarters in New Delhi had officially flagged her off on August 10, handing over the national flag and the RPF banner for the mission. Within roughly eleven days, she brought the expedition to a successful conclusion. Located near the Georgian border within Russia Caucasus mountain range, Mount Elbrus is globally recognized as one of the elite Seven Summits, making this ascent a prestigious milestone in professional mountaineering.
Army Background and NCC Roots
The courage to confront extreme dangers comes naturally to Poonam, rooted in her family background. Her father, Ratan Singh Shekhawat, is a retired army serviceman. According to her father, Poonam held a deep passion for sports and NCC activities since her early childhood. Her dedication led her to join the Railway Protection Special Force in 2014. Even after securing her job, she never ceased her physical training and athletic pursuits. Alongside rigorous commando training, she also undertook professional training in archery and horseback riding. Furthermore, she earned official mountaineering certifications after successfully scaling various challenging peaks in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Inspiring Women Across the Nation
Presently posted with the 16th Battalion RPSF in Jaipur and residing in the Jhotwara area, Poonam believes her mission goes beyond merely conquering physical summits. She aims to prove to the women of India that they are second to none in any field. She encourages women to cultivate inner self-belief and summon the courage to tackle the toughest challenges. Poonam regards Olympic medalist and cabinet minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore as her role model. Rathore journey of winning an Olympic medal and his extensive military background have deeply inspired her, and she notes that he consistently supports her mountaineering endeavors.
