Shillong, July 17: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar on Wednesday met 20-year-old Rifiness Warjri, the youngest person from Meghalaya to summit Mount Everest.
Warjri, a Botany student at St Anthony’s College and NCC cadet, achieved this feat on May 18, 2025, becoming the third woman from the state to reach the summit.
During the meeting at Raj Bhavan, Warjri showcased her versatility by performing two songs – a patriotic song and a soulful Khasi song.
He praised her artistic talent and deep-rooted pride in Meghalaya’s heritage.
The Governor extended a formal invitation to Warjri to perform at the Independence Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan, recognizing her as a role model for youth, especially girls from humble backgrounds.
He stated that Rifiness embodies the spirit of determination and cultural pride. Her presence at our Independence Day programme will be a tribute to her inspiration for countless youngsters across the state.
Refusing to rest on her laurels, Warjri now aspires to conquer the Seven Summits—the highest peaks across all seven continents – including Denali, Kilimanjaro, and Vinson Massif.
Warjri’s achievement has earned her felicitations from prominent figures, including Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Warjri’s dedication to mountaineering is evident in her recent conquest of Mount Everest and her previous scaling of Mount Abi Gamin in August 2024.
She now aspires to conquer the Seven Summits, the highest peaks across all seven continents, while pursuing her academic goals in Botany.
Meanwhile, Vijayashankar also felicitated distinguished Wushu cadets of the Boys Sports Company, Assam Regimental Centre (ARC), Shillong, at a special ceremony.
The young athletes were honored for their outstanding performances and dedication to the martial art of Wushu.
The cadets have excelled in various Wushu National and International sporting events, bringing honor to their regiment and the northeastern region.
The Governor lauded the team of officers and cadets for their commitment and fortitude.
The Governor emphasized the importance of promoting indigenous sports like Wushu to harness youth potential and foster national identity through athletic endeavor.
He also underscored the significance of discipline and resilience in shaping young champions.
Following the ceremony, the cadets were guided on an educational tour of Raj Bhavan, where they were introduced to the architectural history of the building, its role in state governance, and the values of leadership and civic duty that it represents.
