Usha Hegde, a professor in the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology at JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysuru, was honored on Tuesday for her remarkable achievement of climbing Mount Everest on May 19, 2024. The felicitation ceremony, organized by the college, saw the presence of distinguished guests including Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Mutt.
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| Dr. Usha Hegde , successful summiteer of Mt. Everest womensweb.in |
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| Dr. Usha Hegde thehindu.com |
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| i.pinimg.com |
Once she was selected for the expedition in December 2023, her preparations intensified. Dr. Hegde’s regimen included strength training at the gym, hours of walking with a 14 kg backpack, and repeatedly climbing Chamundi Hills with the load. She also practiced pranayama to enhance her physical and mental resilience, all while balancing her professional duties and family responsibilities.
Dr. Hegde attributed her success to unwavering determination, discipline, and a positive mindset. She noted that despite all preparations, reaching the summit was also dependent on favorable conditions on Mount Everest, or Sagarmatha, as it is known in Nepali.
During the ceremony, Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami lauded Dr. Hegde’s dedication and commitment, highlighting these as essential traits for achieving any life goal. Other notable attendees included C.G. Betsurmath, Executive Secretary of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Ajay Hegde, Dr. Hegde’s husband, the principal and staff of JSS Dental College and Hospital, and Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER).
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| Mt. Everest, .chinadiscovery.com |
Dr. Usha Hegde, the first civilian from her State to achieve the 'Himalayan feat,' has impressed mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts in Mysuru. She began her journey with 5K and 10K runs, advancing to half-marathons and marathons across India. Embracing the Ironman challenge, Usha dedicated hours to cycling and trained in swimming, becoming a triathlete. Her mountaineering ventures took her to Ladakh and Africa, where she scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak at 19,340 feet, before setting her sights on Mount Everest. Months of preparation, including a training program at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) in Jamshedpur, equipped her with the skills and confidence to tackle the Himalayas, navigating glaciers, crevasses, and rocky terrains.4o
Dr. Hegde’s accomplishment stands as an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance and rigorous preparation, serving as a motivation for many aspiring climbers and professionals alive