Itanagar, June 14: Anshu Jamsenpa, who has recently set a new record by becoming the first woman climber to summit Mount Everest twice in five days, was accorded a grand reception today on her homecoming by the sports and youth affairs department of the Arunachal Pradesh government.

She hails from Bomdila, the headquarters of West Kameng district.

"I feel good to be home; to be among my people after a gap of two months," said the ace mountaineer whose double ascent of the world's highest peak was her fifth overall and the second after May 16.

Thanking her supporters, well-wishers and sponsors for their prayers, Anshu termed her double ascent of Mt Everest a much anticipated one, though it took a long time to happen.

"My journey this time was a blessed one as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama had flagged off the expedition from Guwahati on April 2. Though there were a few hurdles, thanks to the blessings of His Holiness and my well-wishers, as I could finally accomplish my goal," Anshu said.

Addressing schoolchildren at the function, she added that there were many people who tried to demotivate her but she did not lose hope. "Don't be discouraged and focus on your goals as nothing is impossible," the mountaineer said.

According to Anshu, if the state government comes up with a mountaineering policy, Arunachal Pradesh would go a long way in earning huge revenue.

"Arunachal has lots of virgin mountains which have the potential to attract tourists and adventure enthusiasts from across the globe," she said.

The parliamentary secretary for sports and youth affairs, Nyamar Karbak, under whose supervision the programme was organised, said that the people of Arunachal Pradesh would always be grateful to Anshu for her achievement and for highlighting the state's name in the international arena.

"You (Anshu) are our asset and the feat that you have achieved is not only special, but at the same time commendable beyond words," said Karbak, urging youths, especially girls, to take the Everester as a role model.

Karbak said there are almost 200 vacant posts in the police department and preference would be given to sportspersons during recruitment.

Earlier, the sports and youth affairs secretary, Dani Sulu, termed Anshu's achievement "a proud moment for the country and the Arunachalees in particular".

Tapi Mara, Arunachal's first Everester appealed to the government to promote adventure sports and tourism.