Chennai gave mountaineer Muthazhagi Selvi a rousing welcome today as she landed at the international airport after completing the Seven Summits challenge — climbing the highest peak on each continent — in record time for an Indian woman.
Cheers, tears, and garlands filled the air as family and friends received the Jokkipatti-native, now a Chennai resident, with traditional honours and applause. Emotions ran high as Selvi humbly credited her success to the Tamil Nadu government’s support. “I had no mountaineering background, but the Deputy Chief Minister’s help made this possible,” she said, fondly referring to Chief Minister Stalin as “Appa.”
Selvi is the first Indian woman to scale all seven continental peaks — including Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson Massif, and Puncak Jaya/Kosciuszko — in the shortest time span recorded by an Indian.
Having received the Kalpana Chawla Award and financial backing from the State after her Everest summit in 2023, she dedicated herself to completing the remaining climbs.
Addressing the press, Selvi emphasized the need to popularize mountaineering in India. “It can combat mobile addiction among children and lead to careers in border security,” she said, urging the government to create job opportunities for climbers to inspire more participation.
Her return marks not just a personal triumph, but a moment of pride for Tamil Nadu and India.