Safrina Latheef, becomes first Kerala expat from Qatar to summit Mt Everest
Doha/Kathmandu: In a remarkable display of courage and determination, long-time Qatar resident Safrina Latheef has successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. With this historic climb, she becomes the first Kerala expatriate woman in Qatar to scale the 8,848-metre Himalayan giant.
Safrina reached the summit at 10:25 am Nepal time after a grueling 20-hour climb through freezing temperatures and harsh winds. Her achievement has earned her wide admiration both in Qatar and among the Malayali diaspora worldwide.
A resident of Qatar since 2001, Safrina lives in Doha with her husband Dr. Shameel Musthafa, a surgeon at Hamad Medical Corporation, and their daughter Minha.
Her Everest ascent is the culmination of years of dedication to high-altitude mountaineering. Safrina had earlier climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in Tanzania, Mount Elbrus (5,642m) in Russia, and Aconcagua (6,961m) in Argentina—often alongside her husband. She also underwent intensive ice training in Kazakhstan as part of her preparation for Everest.
After descending to Camp 2, Safrina thanked her family, friends, and the Elite Exped expedition team, whose guidance and support played a crucial role in the successful climb.
Her achievement has drawn praise from various quarters, particularly for serving as an inspiration to women and young girls pursuing their dreams in adventure sports and beyond.
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PM Modi arrives in Ethiopia on second leg of three-nation tour
Addis Ababa (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday on the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport. In a unique gesture, he also drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
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"Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media.
"Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member," he added.
Modi will be holding wide-ranging discussions with his counterpart on all aspects of India–Ethiopia bilateral ties.
“As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India.
In his first visit to Ethiopia, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit.
Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
