Nalanda: Aarti Gupta, a meteorologist from Bihar, is making history as the first woman from her state to visit Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth. She is part of the 45th Indian Scientists’ Antarctica Winter Expedition, organized by the Patna branch of the India Meteorological Department.
Aarti’s journey to Antarctica is not just significant for her; it marks a milestone for women in the Indian Meteorological Department. The expedition team includes 52 individuals—scientists, technical experts, and support staff—coming together to achieve a shared goal: advancing scientific research in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
“The moment I joined the India Meteorological Department, I read about expeditions to East Antarctica in our magazine. I decided then and there that I wanted to experience that icy world for myself,” Aarti shared. Now, that dream is coming true.
Getting to Antarctica isn’t easy. Aarti described the rigorous selection process. Candidates must pass a demanding week-long physical and mental fitness assessment at AIIMS, New Delhi. They also face the daunting challenge of spending an entire year away from home, which can weigh heavily on one’s mind.
Once selected, candidates undergo a month of training at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s Mountaineering and Skiing Institute in Auli. They learn vital skills like navigating extreme cold, survival in icy conditions, and emergency response. After this, there are two more weeks of specialized departmental training before finally being chosen for the expedition.
Life in Antarctica is tough. The extended darkness, intense cold, and limited resources present constant challenges. It demands patience, discipline, and teamwork. For Aarti, taking on this tough environment sends a strong message to women everywhere—that they can conquer any field, no matter how challenging.
Aarti aims to accomplish her role in Antarctica with dedication. “I want to show young girls across India that no dream is too big,” she said. She believes that determination and skill matter more than gender and credits her success to her family, her husband, and her own hard work.
Antarctica, often called the White Continent, is not just cold; it’s also the driest and windiest continent on Earth. Temperatures can plummet from 0°C in summer to as low as -89°C in winter. It’s covered by ice that reaches depths of up to 2.5 kilometers and remains largely uninhabited. Under the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959, the continent is reserved for scientific research, banning all military activities. Research here focuses on critical issues like climate change, biology, and astronomy.
Aarti’s story showcases not only personal triumph but also the importance of female representation in science, reinforcing that ambition knows no gender boundaries. Her journey can inspire many to follow their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.
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