Udaipur, July 9, 2025 - Sameera Khan, a mountaineer, solo cyclist and rural girls’ empowerment activist, has embarked on a powerful solo cycling campaign across India titled "Mission Mount Everest – Rural Girls Empowerment." The journey aims to inspire young girls in rural and tribal government schools to rise above social constraints such as gender discrimination, dowry and harassment - and to pursue their dreams with courage and self-belief.

Sameera arrived in Udaipur on Sunday, July 6, as part of her national campaign route, where she is connecting with schools and local communities to conduct motivational sessions and share her remarkable journey.

Hailing from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, Sameera is no stranger to pushing limits. Having cycled through 37 countries and scaled 11 major Himalayan and European peaks including Mount Elbrus, Stok Kangri and Mount Ama Dablam, she is now the first girl from Anantapur to attempt Mount Everest.

Sameera’s life has been marked by profound challenges -  losing her mother on her ninth birthday and her father in 2015. But these hardships led her to a life of solo traveling across Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. Over the last seven years, she has also volunteered in rural schools, engaging directly with young girls through storytelling, sports and motivational sessions.

Even one hour can change a life. One girl breaking her silence is a revolution, Sameera says, echoing the mission’s spirit.

The campaign is far more than a physical expedition; it is a movement. During her cycling route, Sameera stops at rural and tribal government schools to conduct motivational and awareness sessions for girls in Grades 9 to 12. Her focus include:

• Address deeply rooted social issues including gender inequality, dowry, harassment and lack of menstrual awareness.
• Share her personal journey to encourage self-reliance, courage and the pursuit of unconventional dreams.
• Use adventure sports like cycling, rock climbing and mountaineering to promote physical and mental strength.

Currently cycling through western India, Sameera is seeking support from the Education Departments and District Education Officers (DEOs) of Gujarat and Rajasthan to facilitate her mission by coordinating with rural schools. She is requesting:

• Permission to conduct short motivational sessions with female students.
• Direct coordination with principals and headmasters to organise impactful visits.

Sameera emphasises that direct engagement is the most powerful way to create a ripple effect of change. Her campaign seeks not only to inspire but to leave a lasting impact on each girl she meets, encouraging them to speak out, dream big and challenge the norms that hold them back.

Sameera said" Since I lost my mother I’ve been a victim of social constraints/discrimination and harassment… However, I’ve been a motivational speaker since I became a mountaineer in 2018. As I come from a rural background I know there are many girls like me who dream of freedom from this rigid and conservative society.

“I’m cycling and climbing for them. To inspire them to raise above these social constraints, discrimination, harassment, dowry, cast, creed and traditions as most of it are oppressing to rural girls."

With Mount Everest in her sights, Sameera’s mission is not just about conquering physical peaks, but also about breaking societal barriers for the next generation of girls.