What kind of society was Santosh Yadav born in? How was her grandmother different from others?
Santosh Yadav was born in a society where the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing and a daughter was generally not welcomed. Her grandmother wanted a girl instead of a boy.
(i) What does it mean to be ‘on top of the world’?
(ii) What did Santosh do when she was on the top of the world?
(iii) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following words:
(a) actually, (b) greatness.
(i) It literally means that Santosh was standing on the highest peak of the world - the Mount Everest.
(ii) She unfurled the Indian Tricolour and held it aloft on the Mount Everest.
(iii) (a) actually — literally.
(b) greatness — enormity.
What is the secret of Santosh’s success?
Santosh had a strong will power, great physical endurance and an amazing mental toughness. The single-minded determination and dedication helped her overcome all hurdles to emerge as a winner. She possessed a remarkable resistance to cold and high altitude. Her climbing skills and hard working nature made it easy for her.
Describe Santosh’s fight against the system?
Right from the beginning Santosh had to fight the system to assert for her right to equality and education. She never lost her spirit and determination. She defied all the customs and traditions which limit the girls within the spheres of family, marriage and children. She ventured into a man’s domain to become a role model for others.
What made Santosh scale Mt. Everest the second time? How was it important?
Santosh scaled Mt. Everest the second time as a member of an Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition. It was important as it secured a unique place for her and India by becoming the only woman to have scaled the Everest twice.
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