Kerala women excise officers trek to Everest Base Camp, plant Vimukthi flag

Alappuzha: Three women excise officers from Kerala have successfully completed a trek to the Everest Base Camp, proudly planting the Vimukthi flag as part of a campaign promoting adventure and a drug-free lifestyle.

The officers — Ramshi Arakkal Rahim (Civil Excise Officer, Kuthiathode Range), Ajithamol (Civil Excise Officer, Palakkad Division), and Aswathi V V (Civil Excise Officer, Kasaragod Division) — were part of a five-member all-women team that also included Salini, an IT professional, and Najma, an entrepreneur.

“We’ve been friends since our training days in 2021. This was our first trip outside Kerala, and it turned out to be a truly memorable experience,” said Ramshi, a native of Vypin in Ernakulam.

The 20-day expedition included 14 days of trekking. The group began their journey from Lukla, Nepal, on October 10, covering 5,364 metres to reach the Everest South Base Camp. Each participant spent around ₹1.75 lakh for the trip.

Before their departure, the Alappuzha Excise Deputy Commissioner handed over the Vimukthi flag to Ramshi. The Vimukthi campaign, initiated by the Excise Department, encourages youth to channel their energy into optimistic, adventurous pursuits rather than substance abuse.

The officers underwent four months of fitness training before the trek. “I’ve always been into workouts, so the preparations felt manageable. I focused on incline walking and cardio,” said Ramshi.

Initially planned for March, the trip was postponed to October due to personal reasons. “I had previously trekked in Kerala at Meeshapulimala and Kolukkumala, but this was my first major experience outside the state,” she added.

Ramshi also recalled a tense moment during their descent. “We were delayed, and darkness fell as snow started. Visibility dropped, and we couldn’t find other trekkers. It was frightening, but we kept moving quickly despite the cold and exhaustion,” she said.

The team faced minor altitude-related issues like fatigue, headaches, and nausea, but no serious health problems. “Our families and the department were very supportive of our plans,” Ramshi said, adding that they hope to take on more adventure treks in the future.