TMU Empowers Lt Col Pooja Nautiyal to Scale Mt. Everest
When the tricolour soared on the peak of Mt. Everest on 20th May 2024, another flag shimmered beside it — a symbolic representation of Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU). It wasn’t just a flag on the world’s highest mountain; it was a powerful statement of TMU’s spirit of empowerment, courage, and belief in women, proudly carried by Lt Col Pooja Nautiyal, a woman whose story is as inspiring as the summit she conquered.
A Historic Feat Supported by TMU
TMU has long been a promoter of progressive education, inclusive support, and personal transformation. The university’s role in enabling this record-breaking expedition reflects its deep-rooted belief that dreams, when nurtured with support and opportunity, know no limits.
Who is Lt Col Pooja Nautiyal?
Pooja Nautiyal joined the Indian Army at the age of 20. Over the next 21 years, she served with distinction, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, earning accolades and praise for her service, leadership, and excellence.
From being declared Best Cadet at the Officers Training Academy to showcasing her strength in rock climbing and white-water rafting, Pooja has always embodied resilience. She was honoured with four commendations for her dedication and discipline.
The Dream of Everest – A Long-standing Passion
For Pooja, Everest wasn’t just a peak, it was a platform to speak for women who forget their own identity in life’s routine. A mother of two daughters, she wanted to inspire especially middle-aged women to prioritise their health, confidence, and inner strength.
Though she was selected for a women's expedition to Everest in 2008, duty and family came first. But she never gave up. In the years that followed, she trained hard, climbing Mt. Nangkarshang (5,000 m), Mt. UT Kangri (6,000 m), Mt. Kun (7,045 m), and finally, Mt. Ama Dablam (6,814 m) — each one preparing her for Everest.
Her story is a call to all women that age is just a number, not a definition. Pooja urges women to reclaim their identity, health, and purpose, especially after life’s transitions. “We often lose ourselves in roles,” she says, “but discipline and dreams can redefine everything.”
This expedition was her tribute to women who feel invisible or underestimated. And TMU ensured her message reached the mountaintop.
TMU’s Active Role in the Expedition
TMU not only sponsored the expedition but also stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Pooja throughout this mission. TMU recognises that empowerment begins by believing in someone's potential. The university actively supports initiatives like academic, athletic, and adventurous that break stereotypes and uplift women across all age groups.
The moment she unfurled the symbolic TMU flag alongside the Indian tricolour, it was a personal victory, conveying the university’s message to the world: We rise by lifting others.
TMU – A Pillar of Support and Women Empowerment
Lt Col Pooja Nautiyal’s Everest journey, backed by Teerthanker Mahaveer University, wasn’t just about climbing a mountain. It was about lifting voices, shattering stereotypes, and planting the flag of belief where the world can see it. TMU believes every woman has an Everest within, and it stands ready to walk that journey with them. TMU proudly honours Pooja’s courage and her role as a living example of its core values: integrity, determination, and empowerment.
