Army Doctor Major Kavitha Vasupalli Conquers 1,040-km Brahmaputra Expedition

Major Kavitha Vasupalli, a doctor in the Army Medical Corps, etched her name in history as the only woman to complete a grueling 1,040-km rafting expedition along the Brahmaputra River, earning a Vishisht Seva Medal and a place in the World Book of Records (London). Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer felicitated her for her extraordinary achievement in adventure sports and service, hailing her as a role model for the youth.

Historic Brahmaputra Expedition

Major Kavitha, hailing from Metturu village in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, navigated treacherous currents and 11-foot waves during the 28-day expedition from the Indo-Tibetan border to the Indo-Bangladesh border. As the sole female member of a 12-member Indian Army team led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, SM, VSM & Bar, she faced life-threatening challenges. On the first day, she was thrown off the raft into a whirlpool.

“For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Then I told myself: Don’t open your mouth… or you’ll die. Be calm. Wait it out,” she recalled. Despite falling off the raft four times, her training and teamwork enabled her to persevere, rafting up to 70 km a day for 12 hours.

Governor’s Felicitation

The expedition, undertaken to promote adventure tourism and preserve the region’s cultural heritage, tested Major Kavitha’s resilience. “A massive wave flipped our raft. We were underwater, unsure of survival. But training and teamwork pulled us through,” she said.

Governor Nazeer praised her courage during the felicitation in Vijayawada, stating, “Major Kavitha’s story is one of bravery and grit. She brings immense pride to Andhra Pradesh and the nation.” He urged her to continue inspiring others, saying, “Keep bringing honor to your state and country.”

Journey from Srikakulam to the Army

Major Kavitha’s path to this feat began in Metturu village, Srikakulam. After completing her MBBS at Srikakulam Government Medical College, financial constraints halted her postgraduate studies. She joined the Army Medical Corps, securing one of 50 seats reserved for women out of 550. While serving in the Army, she enrolled in a mountaineering course and was later posted at the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS). She climbed peaks up to 18,000 feet, carrying a 15-kilo backpack, and trained in rafting, paving the way for this historic expedition.

Breaking Barriers and Future Goals

“I am proud to be the first woman to complete the Brahmaputra expedition,” Major Kavitha said. “People often tell girls they can’t do anything. I was the first graduate, the first Army officer, and the first adventurer in my family. But I never gave up.”

Currently serving at MH Wellington, she plans to resume her postgraduate studies and scale more peaks, having already conquered Mount Gorichen. “Many more mountains are waiting,” she said, embodying determination and ambition.

(Rh/Eth/Pooja Bansal/MSM/SE)