13-year-old Malavath Purna, a poor tribal student from a remote region of India made history when she climbed the Mt. Everest with companion and fellow student, 17-year-old Sadanapalli Anand.

This feat is even more amazing when you consider the fact that they used the Tibetan route, rather than the more popular and easier Nepal route. These two students were chose by the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Educational Society, "a government-run social welfare organization that developed the climbing program as a means to encourage young tribal students from impoverished and inaccessible areas."

The two were selected after intense screening and selection in which out of 108 talented students, only the two of them were deemed good enough to climb the mountain.

Purna even got an "A" in climbing Kanchenjunga.

“She was strong and determined to climb Everest. We are very proud. She wanted to take the risk. She said that her community will gain recognition if they succeed.” Mohammed Ansari, the technical coordinator for the climbing team said.

After reaching the top. Purna placed India's flag and declared “The world is very small.”

  Katherine Bridgerton