Tripura-cadre IAS officer Sonal Goel scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection and drug abuse. After losing her father to cancer, she carried messages promoting healthy living and a drug-free India.
Turning personal grief into a social awareness campaign, 43-year-old Tripura-cadre IAS officer Sonal Goel scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, to promote cancer awareness, healthy living and the fight against drug abuse.
The 2008-batch Indian Administrative Service officer reached Stella Point, one of the three official summit points of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at an elevation of 5,756 metres (18,885 feet) on October 2. Her expedition combined a demanding mountaineering challenge with a message encouraging people to prioritise cancer prevention, early detection and a drug-free lifestyle.
Goel is believed to be the only serving woman IAS officer in India to have achieved this feat, according to the information provided about her expedition.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) and is recognised as Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing mountain. Located in Tanzania, the dormant volcanic mountain attracts climbers from across the globe who attempt to reach its high-altitude summit points.
Goel undertook an eight-day expedition along the challenging Lemosho route. She was the only woman among the 10 members of the climbing group, whose participants primarily came from India, the United States and Canada.
For Goel, the climb carried a deeply personal significance. She lost her father to cancer on October 24, 2023, an experience that inspired her to use her public platform to encourage greater awareness about the disease and the importance of timely medical intervention.
Speaking after returning from the expedition, Goel said the loss had left a profound void in her life but had also strengthened her determination to turn her grief into a meaningful social commitment.
She emphasised that greater awareness about cancer prevention, early detection and healthy living could help families make informed decisions and seek medical attention at the right time. Her campaign aims to encourage people to take preventive health measures and understand the importance of recognising potential health problems early.
At Stella Point, Goel unfurled the Indian national flag and displayed posters carrying messages about cancer awareness and the slogan “Drugs Nahi, Dreams Chuno”, which means “Choose Dreams, Not Drugs.”
Through this message, she sought to encourage young people to pursue their ambitions and aspirations instead of becoming involved in substance abuse. The campaign also highlighted the importance of healthy choices and greater public awareness about the harmful consequences of drug use.
The Kilimanjaro expedition was a continuation of her awareness initiative. Goel had begun carrying similar messages during her trek to Everest Base Camp in May 2026 and continued the campaign during her African mountain expedition.
By taking these messages to internationally recognised mountain destinations, she aimed to draw attention to issues that affect individuals, families and communities across society.
Cancer remains a major public health concern, and awareness about risk factors, preventive measures and early diagnosis can play an important role in improving health outcomes. Similarly, efforts to prevent drug abuse often emphasise education, healthy lifestyles and access to appropriate support.
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Goel’s expedition brought these two causes together through a personal initiative that connected physical endurance with social awareness.
Her journey demonstrates how individual experiences can inspire campaigns addressing wider public health concerns. By carrying th cancer-awareness messages and promoting a drug-free India to the high-altitude destination, the IAS officer sought to encourage people to make informed health choices and support efforts to build a healthier society.
