Outfit of mountaineer Kalpana Das put on display at Odisha State museum

Bhubaneswar: As a tribute to mountaineer Kalpana Das, who died while descending the Mount Everest last week on May 23, the outfit which Kalpana wore while climbing Mount Everest in 2008, has been put on display. She had reportedly handed over the outfits to the State Museum in 2017.

“It is a matter of great pride for every Odia that she (Kalpana Das) had scaled the Mount Everest. As the dresses of some kings and queens are being conserved, we have decided to conserve her outfits as she is the pride of our State,” said State Museum superintendent Jayanti Rath.

“We will dedicate a permanent gallery to display her outfits,” she added.

Visitors also expressed their happiness over the decision of the State Museum authorities to display outfit of Kalpana. “It feels good to see that a rich tribute is being given to her. We feel proud when we see her dress and other belongings in the State museum here now,” said a visitor.

Das was born in Dhenkanal district on 7 July 1966. She went on to become the first woman mountaineer from Odisha to scale the Mount Everest on 21 May 2008. She had attempted to climb Mount Everest twice before (in 2004 and 2006), but due to bad weather and health condition she was unable to reach the peak.

Das died on Mt Everest in the afternoon of May 23 while descending from the peak.