“I’m Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti from Hyderabad.
My journey into mountaineering began during the COVID pandemic in 2020. I was 11 when I first stepped onto a glacier in Uttarakhand with my sister. That experience on Mount Rudragaira changed something in me. I didn’t know where it would lead — only that I wanted to keep climbing.
Alongside school, I trained at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, followed a strict fitness routine that often began at 4 a.m., and learned the discipline required for high-altitude climbing. Over the next five years, I climbed 23 mountains across continents, preparing for my biggest goal — the 7 Summits Challenge.
The challenge involves climbing the highest peak on each continent: Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Denali (North America), Mount Aconcagua (South America), Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), Mount Vinson (Antarctica), and Mount Everest (Asia).
Each mountain tested me differently. Kilimanjaro taught me to dream big. Elbrus built resilience. Denali demanded mental strength and patience. Mount Vinson, climbed in –40°C conditions in Antarctica, was among the toughest experiences of my life. Aconcagua pushed my endurance with harsh winds and low oxygen, becoming the final test before Everest.
On May 27, 2025, I stood at 8,848 metres on Mount Everest, completing the 7 Summits Challenge at 16. With that climb, I became the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to achieve it.
Everest tested everything — strength, focus, and patience. There were moments I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes. What kept me going was remembering the boy who first stepped onto a glacier and felt something shift inside.
Balancing mountaineering with academics was never easy. I often carried textbooks on expeditions, learning early how to manage time and pressure. Behind every step were my parents Rajendera Prasad and Laxmi, my grandparents Shiva Kumar and Soumya Laxmi, my sister Vaishnavi, and my mentors Bharath Thamineni and Lt. Col. Romil Barthwal of Boots & Crampon. On December 26, 2025, on Veer Baal Diwas, I was honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President of India Droupadi Murmu.
The mountains have taught me that progress is slow and nothing comes instantly. Every climb demands patience, discipline, and respect — for the mountain, for the team, and for yourself. There are days when the body feels strong, and days when it doesn’t. What matters is showing up anyway and taking the next step.
Mountaineering also taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to plan, and how to trust preparation over impulse. These lessons go far beyond climbing.
I hope to join the NDA and serve the country. For now, I’ll keep training, studying, and learning — on the mountain and off it.
To anyone starting out: you don’t need to begin with big dreams. Start with curiosity. Be consistent. Let time and effort do the rest.”
— Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti