Imphal: Manipur’s trailblazing mountaineer Ningthoujam Bidyapati Devi, the first woman from the state to scale Mount Everest, has extended her support to the upcoming North East Integration Rally scheduled for January 2026.

Bidyapati created history in 2013 when she reached the summit of Mount Everest at 9.30 am as part of the First North East India Mount Everest Expedition. Standing at 29,029 feet, she became the first woman mountaineer from Manipur and the second climber from the state after Nongmaithem Suresh, who achieved the feat in 2010.

The daughter of Kokngang and Bormani from Mongjam Maning Leikai, Bidyapati was among three climbers from the expedition to summit Everest on that day. Anand Gurung from Sikkim reached first at 7.35 am, followed by Nima Lama from Arunachal Pradesh at 8.30 am, before Bidyapati’s triumphant climb at 9.30 am.

The expedition, flagged off from the historic Kangla by then Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat on February 25, 2013, and later from Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Pranab Mukherjee on March 20, 2013, remains a milestone moment for the Northeast’s mountaineering history.

Speaking about her association with the North East Integration Rally, Bidyapati said, “I am happy to be part of this rally which will be held in January 2026. It is more than just a rally. Come, let’s join and celebrate unity in diversity.”

NEIR, which is highlighting Northeast achievers as part of its campaign, has described Bidyapati’s participation as a proud recognition of her pioneering achievement and her role in inspiring the next generation.

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