In an inspiring moment, Maj Kavitha Vasupalli, VSM, a Doctor with the Army Medical Corps serving at MH Wellington and daughter of rural India, achieved an extraordinary feat in the field of adventure sports and service.
Hailing from Metturu village in the remote Srikakulam district, Maj Kavitha recently created history by being the only woman to complete a 1,040-kilometer rafting expedition on the mighty Brahmaputra River, a journey filled with danger, raw beauty, and relentless challenges.
Her name has been entered into the World Book of Records (London) for this achievement. The expedition was led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, SM, VSM & Bar, Director of NIMAS.
He is himself a Tenzing Norgay Awardee, the first Indian to climb all the highest peaks of India, along with three times summiting Mount Everest. Speaking enthusiastically about the expedition, Major Kavitha recalled, “The Brahmaputra was magnificent — but it was also merciless. One day, a giant wave hit us with such force that our raft flipped.
In those few seconds, we were completely underwater, unsure if we’d come out alive. But we didn’t panic. We trusted our training. We held on to each other.
And we survived. That moment showed me how thin the line is between life and death — and how powerful courage and calmness can be.” Maj Kavitha recently called upon the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Mr S. Abdul Nazeer, who felicitated her for this achievement.
