A 38-year-old woman named Deep J Contractor battled all odds to conquer a brutal continent like Antarctica. She is the first female forest officer to be part of the ‘Climate Force Antarctica 2022 Expedition’ to mark the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.’ Belonging to the Karnataka Indian Forest Service, Contractor became the third such officer, apart from being the first woman officer to achieve the feat.
For Deep J Contractor, the journey towards the expedition was far from easy. While training, she developed arthritis and appendicitis that held her back immensely. However, she continued to soldier on and made her mark by reaching the continent. Her achievement is now proving to be a source of inspiration for women around the country.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, she said, “When I started researching, I realised that it is not just a normal journey but a climate change awareness expedition. They wanted us to learn about it, see its effects on Antarctica, and understand how it will affect our own countries.”
From the selection process to the training, it was a journey not devoid of hurdles. She had to give an online interview and prepare for the visa and necessary processes involved in the COVID-19 protocol during the time. After that, her training started. She began to work out to gear up for the expedition. While doing so, she encountered arthritis and appendicitis that held her back.
