The Odisha government on Friday said it was committed to bring back the mortal remains of Kalpana Dash, the state’ first woman mountaineer who died after scaling Mount Everest for the second time.
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Dash, who hailed from Dhenkanal town, died while descending Everest, her family was informed on Thursday. She was leading a three-member team on an expedition to the world’s highest peak. Meera Acharya, Director at the Department of Tourism, said Dash died in the Balcony area while coming down from the peak.

The 53-year-old, who first scaled Everest in 2008, conquered a number of peaks across India and Europe, America and Australia in a career spanning 15 years.

The Odisha government’s sports and youth services department has already written to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu in Nepal about retrieving Dash’s body and facilitating its transportation to the state.

“Kalpana Dash had repeatedly brought accolades to the state. With her loss, the state has lost one of its finest. We are committed to bringing her mortal remains back to her state,” said Vishal K Dev, commissioner-cum-secretary of Odisha’s sports and youth services department. Dash’s body is reported to be at an altitude of approximately 8,600 metres, he added.

The Odisha government has asked the Indian embassy in Nepal to take up the search and recovery operation on a priority basis as the expedition season will end in the next three days. “The entire expenses will be borne by the state government. Dash’s family has also been contacted and assured of all support,” said Dev.

“Kalpana Dash was a brave and strong-willed woman who leaves behind an inspiring story for mountaineering aspirants to emulate,” he added.