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9. Within twelve months, Santosh found herself a member of an Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition that invited her to join them. She then scaled the Everest a second time, thus setting a record as the only woman to have scaled the Everest twice, and securing for herself and India a unique place in the annals of mountaineering. In recognition of her achievements, the Indian government bestowed upon her one of the nation’s top honours, the Padmashri.
10. Describing her feelings when she was literally ‘on top of the world’, Santosh has said, “It took some time for the enormity of the moment to sink in... Then I unfurled the Indian tricolour and held it aloft on the roof of the world. The feeling is indescribable. The Indian flag was flying on top of the world. It was truly a spiritual moment. I felt proud as an Indian.” Also a fervent environmentalist, Santosh collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.
Explanation:
When most people bask in the joy of success, they tend to lose sight of the future. Consistency is the key to eternal success. One big achievement blinding the eyes of great personalities has led to their downfall. They do not put any effort after getting fame and later on regret it. But Santosh was not one among them. She continued to go on expeditions with all groups of mountaineers. Within a year of becoming the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest, she set out to scale it for the second time.
She became a member of the Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition, which was the first all-women expedition, started in \(1993\), launched by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. She set out to scale Mount Everest for the second time with the team and succeeded, and hence set a record as the only woman to have scaled the Everest twice. Her achievement elevated India's status in the realm of mountaineering, as it is always a pride to be a country to have a woman who has scaled the highest peak twice. As she gained a huge name and respect for the country with her achievements, she was honoured with the most prestigious award, 'Padmashri'. It is the fourth highest civilian award in India, given to people who have made contributions in various fields.
Women mountaineers
When she was asked about how she felt to be at the top of the world, she answered that when something as huge as this happens, it takes a moment to understand and let the situation sink in. During moment's of success, one might not be able to believe it, and it can take a few moments before happiness sets in. Similarly, Santosh was proud and happy as she unfurled the Indian flag at the top of the mountain. People who make achievements display their country's flag on top of the mountain. This is similar to astronauts placing flags when they land on the moon or any other planet. It is considered as bringing pride to one's own country, and the feeling is indescribable. Being an ardent environmentalist, she collected almost 500 kilograms of garbage that was thrown across the Himalayas. People visit places that are so close to nature and ruin it by throwing garbage, which leads to various natural calamities. Santosh was a responsible mountaineer as well as a citizen.
Garbage on mountain areas
Words with difficult meaning:
| S.No | Words | Meaning |
1 | Environmentalist | A person who is concerned about protecting the environment |
2 | Annals | A historical record of events |
3 | Bestowed | To present or honour with something |
4 | Unfurled | Spread out a piece of clothing |
5 | Enormity | A great sin or crime |
6 | Fervent | Displaying intensity |
Reference:
National Council of Educational Research and Training (2006). Beehive. Reach for the Top (pp.99-109). Published at the Publication Division by the Secretary, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
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