As the nation immerses itself in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ spirit ahead of the 79th Independence Day, Tripura’s own Paramita Sarkar has taken patriotism to breathtaking heights — quite literally.

On August 7, at exactly 9:50 am Russian time, Paramita unfurled the Indian tricolour atop Mount Elbrus — the highest peak in Russia and the European continent.

Standing at 5,642 metres, Elbrus is a formidable challenge even for seasoned climbers. What makes Paramita’s feat truly remarkable is that she did it completely solo — without a guide, Sherpa, or mountaineering agency. From route planning to execution, every step of the expedition was her own.

This achievement marks Paramita as the second woman from Tripura to summit Elbrus. But her mountaineering journey began earlier this year when, on January 21, 2025, she became the first woman from the state to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.

These two summits place her firmly on the path toward the coveted “Seven Summits” — the challenge of climbing the tallest peaks on all seven continents.

Hailing from a humble middle-class background, Paramita’s journey has been defined as much by financial struggle as by physical endurance. Funding expeditions of this magnitude often meant months of creative fundraising and personal sacrifice. Yet, adversity only sharpened her determination.

Her success has been met with immense pride. Family, friends, and admirers have hailed her not only for her mountaineering excellence but also for her role as a beacon of inspiration for young dreamers.

With two of the Seven Summits now behind her, Paramita’s sights are set firmly on the remaining five. And if her past achievements are any indication, Tripura — and indeed India — may soon have more mountaintop triumphs to celebrate.