MP: Mountaineer Bhavna Dehariya to receive Vikram Award; High Court lifts stay
Indore: Mountaineer Bhawna Dehariya, who brought glory to the state by conquering Mount Everest, is now on track to receive the Vikram Award. The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging her selection and upheld the state government's decision.
Justice Pranay Verma, while delivering the order, stated that the state government's decision for the 2023 Adventure Sports category was in accordance with the rules and contained no errors. This crucial information was shared by Advocate Anunay Srivastava, who represented Bhawna Dehariya in the case. Deputy Advocate General Shrey Raj Saxena, representing the state government, effectively argued the case, which the court accepted.
The petition was filed by Madhusudan Patidar, who claimed that he was senior to Bhawna Dehariya and should receive the award. However, the court found that Patidar's Everest ascent in 2017 fell outside the five-year eligibility period prescribed by the Madhya Pradesh Awards Rules, 2021. Rule 5 states that only achievements from the previous five years are considered valid in the adventure sports category.
On this basis, the court held that Patidar was ineligible for the 2023 award and, therefore, his claim was rightfully rejected.
The court also clarified that the state government's application invitation process for 2021, 2022, and 2023 was in accordance with the rules, so the allegation of inadequate information or lack of notice is not tenable.
With the petition found to be "infructuous," there is no longer any obstacle to conferring the Vikram Award on Bhawna Dehariya. The state government will soon honor her at an official ceremony.
Bhawna has hoisted tricolor on world's five highest continental peaks
Bhawna Deharia, a resident of Tamia village in Chhindwara district, has hoisted the Indian flag on the world's five highest continental peaks, including: Mount Everest (Asia); Kilimanjaro (Africa); Kosciuszko (Australia); Elbrus (Europe) and Aconcagua (South America).
Bhawna Deharia is among the first women from Madhya Pradesh to conquer Everest and will now become the first recipient of the Vikram Award in the adventure sports category. She and her four-year-old daughter, Siddhi, are also brand ambassadors for the "Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child" campaign. They have also achieved a unique Guinness World Record for promoting the Indian Himalayas globally.
Bhavna said this award is a recognition of her courage, perseverance, and dedication to mountaineering.