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B Goswami’s Notes, Reach For The Top Part 1, , •, •, •, •, •, •, , •, , Value Points, Santosh Yadav is one of the few women in the world to have climbed the, Mount Everest twice., She first climbed the peak in May 1992 and then did it again in May 1993., She was born in 1969 in Rewari District of Haryana state in India and is an, officer in Indo-Tibetan Border Police., She is an alumnus of Maharani College, Jaipur., Living in Kasturba Hostel, she joined Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of, Mountaineering., While studying, she prepared herself to climb two greatest peaks in life, namely, mountaineering and Indian Civil Services and was successful in, both., She prepared for her IAS exams in a hostel provided by Indian, Mountaineering Federation at Connaught Place, New Delhi. Her brother is, an officer in the Indian Army. She was also conferred Padma Shri award, in 2000., IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION, , Read the following passages and answer the questions given at the end, of each :, PASSAGE 1, , The only woman in the world who has Scaled Mt Everest twice was born in a, society where the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing, and a daughter,, though not considered a curse, was not generally welcome. When her mother, was expecting Santosh, a travelling ‘holy man’, giving her his blessing, assumed, that she wanted a son. But, to everyone’s surprise, the unborn child’s, grandmother, who was standing dose by, told him that they did not want a son., The ‘holy man’ was also surprised! Nevertheless, he gave the requested, blessing… and as Destiny would have it, the blessing seemed to work. Santosh, was born the sixth child in a family with five sons, a sister to five brothers. She, was born in the small village of Joniyawas in Haryana., Questions :, (i) Name the woman who had Scaled Mt Everest twice., (ii) In what sort of society was she born?, (iii) What blessing did the holy man give?, (iv) How many brothers did Santosh have?, (v) Where was Santosh born?

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B Goswami’s Notes, Answers :, (i) Santosh Yaday., (ii) She was born in a society where the birth of a son was regarded as a, blessing., (iii) The holy man gave the blessing of the birth of a boy., (iv) She had five brothers., (v) She was born at Joniyawas village in Haryana., PASSAGE 2, Santosh’s parents were affluent landowners who could afford to send their, children to the best schools, even to the country’s capital Delhi, which was quite, close by. But, in line with the prevailing custom in the family, Santosh had to, make do with the local village school. So, she decided to fight the system in her, own quiet way when the right moment arrived. And the right moment came when, she turned sixteen. At sixteen, most of the girls in her village used to get married., Santosh was also under pressure from her parents to do the same., Questions :, (i) What was the profession of Santosh’s father?, (ii) Where did Santosh get his elementary education?, (iii) Why was she not sent to a good school?, (iv) When did the right time come for her fight with the system?, (v) What pressure did her parents put on Santosh?, Answers :, (i) Her father was an affluent farmer., (ii) She got her elementary education in the local school in the village., (iii) She was not sent to a good school following the tradition of the family., (iv) That time came when she turned of sixteen., (v) They put pressure on her to go for the marriage., PASSAGE 3, , A marriage as early as that was the last thing on her mind. She threatened her, parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education. She, left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Dell When her parents refused, to pay for her education, she politely informed them of her plans to earn money, by working part-time to pay her school fees. Her parents then agreed to pay for, her education., Questions :, (i) How did Santosh consider a marriage?, (ii) What did she threaten to her parents?, (iii) Why did she leave home?, (iv) Why did her parents refuse to pay for her education in Delhi?, (v) What was Santosh’s plan to make arrangement for her fee?, Answers :, (i) She considered marriage the least important thing in her life.

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B Goswami’s Notes, (ii) She threatened her parents not to marry forever if she did not get a good, education., (iii) She left home to get an education in Delhi., (iv) Her parents refused to pay for her education in Delhi because they did not, want their daughter should live away from home., (v) She planned to do para t time job to pay her school fee., PASSAGE 4, , Then there was no looking back for this determined young girl. She saved, money, and, enrolled, in, a, course, at, Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. “My college semester in Jaipur, was to end in April but it ended on the 19th of May. And I was supposed to be, in Uttarkashi on the 21st. So, I did not go back home; instead, I headed straight, for the training. I had to write a letter of apology to my father without whose, permission I had got myself enrolled at Uttarkashi.”, Questions :, (i) Who is the girl mentioned in this passage?, (ii) Where did she enrol herself for mountaineering training?, (iii) Where was she studying in college?, (iv) Why did she write an apology letter to her father?, (v) In which state of India is Uttarkashi?, Answers :, (i) Santosh Yaday., (ii) In Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering., (iii) She was studying in college in Jaipur., (iv) She wrote an apology letter to her father because she had got herself, enrolled in a mountaineering institute without his permission., (v) Uttranchal State., PASSAGE FOR PRACTICE, PASSAGE 5, , Thereafter, Santosh went on an expedition every year. Her climbing skills, matured rapidly. Also, she developed a remarkable resistance to cold and, altitude. Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance and an amazing mental, toughness, she proved herself repeatedly. The culmination of her hard work and, sincerity came in 1992, just four years after she had shyly asked the Aravalli, mountaineers if she could join them. At barely twenty years of age Santosh, Yadav conquered Mt Everest, becoming the youngest woman in the world to, achieve the feat. If her climbing skills, physical fitness, and mental strength, impressed her seniors, her concern for others and desire to work together with, them found her a special place in the hearts of fellow climbers., Questions :, (i) On what expedition did Santosh go every year?, (ii) When did she go on her first expedition to Mt Everest?

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B Goswami’s Notes, (iii) At what age did she conquer Mt Everest?, (iv) How did she impress his seniors?, (v) How did her fellow climbers treat her?, EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION, Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two, lines each., (I), “From the very beginning I was quite determined that if I chose a correct and a, rational path, the others around me had to change, not me.”, 1. Who speaks these words?, Santosh Yadav, the great mountaineer from Haryana, speaks these words., 2. What was the speaker’s approach to making choices?, Santosh Yadav’s approach was to choose the correct and rational path., 3. How was the speaker able to change those around her?, Santosh Yadav was able to change those around her by making them yield to, her firm decision which deviated from the traditional path but was based on, logic and rationale., 4. What light do these words throw on the speaker?, These words show that right from her childhood, Santosh wished to change the, system for the sake of the right cause rather than to submit to it., (II), So, she decided to fight the system in her own quiet way when the right moment, arrived. And the right moment came when she turned sixteen., 1. Who is ‘she’ in this extract and which system did she decide to fight?, Here ‘she’ is Santosh Yadav, the celebrated Indian mountaineer who scaled, Mount Everest twice. She decided to fight the system of old and stifling traditions, which obstructed the progress of a person., 2. How and why did she decide to fight the system?, Santosh Yadav decided to fight the system in her quiet but firm way because, she did not want to humiliate or insult those who supported the traditions that, obstructed the path to progress., 3. What was ‘the right moment’? What did ‘she’ do at this moment?, The right moment was when she turned sixteen and was under pressure from, her parents to get married like other girls in her village. Santosh Yadav did not, wish to get married at such a young age, so she threatened her parents that she, would never marry if she was denied proper education., 4. What did she do next?, The next thing Santosh Yadav did was to leave home and get herself enrolled, in a school in Delhi., (III), When her parents refused to pay for her education, she politely informed them, of her plans to earn money by working part-time to pay her school fees.

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B Goswami’s Notes, 1. Who does ‘she’ refer to?, She refers to Santosh Yadav, the famous mountain climber., 2. Why did her parents refuse to pay for her education?, Her parents refused to pay for her education because Santosh did not follow the, family tradition of getting married early and got herself enrolled in a school in, Delhi against their wishes. They thought that their refusal to pay for her, education would bring their daughter back home., 3. How did she react to her parents’ decision?, Santosh refused to give up her studies and told her parents that she would, manage to pay her school expenses by working part-time., 4. Why did she inform her parents ‘politely’?, She talked to her parents politely but firmly because she loved them and did not, intend to insult them. At the same time, she also knew that the path chosen by, her was not irrational or incorrect., (IV), I had to write a letter of apology to my father without whose permission I had got, myself enrolled at Uttarkashi., 1. Who is the speaker here? Why did she have to write a letter of apology, to her father?, Santosh Yadav is the speaker here and she had to write a letter of apology to, her father because she had got herself enrolled for a mountaineering course, without seeking his permission. To top it, she did not have time to visit her, parents as her course started immediately after her semester exams., 2. Where had she enrolled herself and why?, She had enrolled herself at the Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in, order to get proper training to pursue her interest in mountain climbing., 3. Why didn’t she seek her father’s permission before getting enrolled?, Santosh knew that her father would not allow her to pursue a career in, mountaineering, so she decided to let her parents know about it after having, joined the institute., 4. What light does this extract reflect on the speaker’s character?, The extract shows that Santosh was adamant and determined to live life, according to her choices. She did not mean to insult her parents in any way but, at the same time did not wish to forego her dreams and ambition., (V), If her climbing skills, physical fitness, and mental strength impressed her, seniors, her concern for others and desire to work together with them found, her a special place in the hearts of fellow climbers.\, 1. Whose qualities are being described here?, The qualities of Santosh Yadav, the great Indian mountaineer are being, described here., 2. Why were her seniors impressed with her?

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B Goswami’s Notes, Her seniors were impressed with her because of her climbing skills, physical, fitness, and mental strength., 3. What endeared her to her fellow climbers?, Her team-spirit and her concern for her fellow climbers endeared her to them., 4. Give an example of her concern for others., Santosh Yadav tried her best to save the lives of two fellow climbers. She, succeeded in saving the life of one, Mohan Singh, by sharing her oxygen with, him., Very Short Answer Type Important Questions, Additional Very Short Answer Type Questions, 1. What is the special distinction of Santosh Yadav?, Ans. Santosh Yadav is the only woman in the world who has scaled Mt, Everest twice., 2. Where was Santosh Yadav born?, Ans. She was born in the small village of Joniyawas of Rewari District in, Haryana., 3. What does `Santosh’ mean?, Ans. Santosh means contentment., 4. What did Santosh tell her parents about marriage?, Ans. She told her parents that she would never many if did not get a proper, education., 5. Why did Santosh leave home?, Ans. Santosh left home to get herself enrolled in a school in Delhi., 6. Where did Santosh take admission after passing high school?, Ans. After passing high school Santosh took admission in Maharani College, Jaipur., 7. Where did Santosh enrol herself for mountaineering training?, Ans. She enrolled herself at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering., 8. What great honour was given to Santosh Yadav by the government of, India?, Ans. The government of India honoured Santosh Yadav with one of the nation’s, top honours the Padmashri., 9. When did Santosh Yadav scale Mt Everest for the first time?, Ans. She scaled Mt Everest for the first time in 1992.

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B Goswami’s Notes, 10. Why is Santosh Yadav mentioned as a fervent environmentalist?, Ans. She collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the, Himalayas., Short Answer Type Questions (30 to 40 words), Short Answer Type Questions, 1. What is the special distinction of Santosh Yadav as a mountaineer?, Ans. Santosh Yadav is the only woman in the world who has conquered Mt, Everest twice. She is a woman who got this distinction rising up from a rural, background., 2. What type of a social system was there is in the village when Santosh, was born?, Ans. In those days the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing, but the birth, of a daughter was not generally welcomed in the society., 3. Give a brief sketch of Santosh’s family., Ans. Santosh was born in the small village of ofioniyawas in Haryana. Her, parents were affluent landowners. She was the only sister of five Brothers., 4. How did Santosh show a contradiction to her name?, Ans. The girl was given the name Santosh, which means contentment’. But, Santosh was not always content with her place in the traditional way of life. She, began living life on her own terms from the start., 5. What did Santosh tell her parents regarding her marriage?, Ans. Santosh was not in favour of early married life. She threatened her parents, that she would never marry if she would not get a proper education., 6. Why was the ‘holy man’, who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings,, surprised?, (Textual), Ans. The holy man expected that like all other families in the villages, the family, would be wishing for the birth of a son. However, when he was told by Santosh’s, grandmother that they wanted to have a daughter, he was surprised., 7. What kind of society was Santosh born in?, Ans. Santosh was born in Joniyawas, a small village in the Rewari District in, Haryana. The society in this region was rigidly patriarchal and gender-biased., The birth of a girl was generally unwelcome and people strictly adhered to, conservative traditions., 8. Why did the grandmother (in spite of being a member of a family with, conservative views) wish her daughter-in-law to give birth to a daughter?, Ans. Despite being a member of a conservative family, the grandmother wished, to be blessed with a granddaughter because there were already five boys in the, family. Hence, the family now wished for a daughter., 9. What do you know about Santosh’s family?, Ans. Santosh was the sixth child in a conservative but affluent family of, landlords. Her family lived in the backward district of Rewari in Haryana. Though

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B Goswami’s Notes, financially well-off, they were orthodox and conservative in matters related to, the education and upbringing of girls., 10. Why was Santosh sent to the local, school?, (Textual), Ans. Santosh’s parents were affluent and could afford to send Santosh to a, school in Delhi. But they sent her to the local village school because they, sternly followed tradition and it was customary in their society to send girls to, the local school only., 11. Why was Santosh Yadav not content with a traditional way of life?, What path did she choose and why?, Ans. Santosh was not content with a traditional way of life because she was a, bit of a rebel right from the beginning. She wanted to charter her own course in, life, rather than following the age-old customs and traditions., She chose the path of excellence through education, rational thinking and hard, work and achieved unparalleled success as a woman mountaineer., 12. When did Santosh leave home for Delhi, and, why?, (Textual), Or, When Santosh turned sixteen, why did she consider it to be the ‘right, moment’ to fight the system?, Ans. Santosh left home for Delhi when she turned sixteen because her parents, had begun to pressurize her to get married in keeping with tradition. She decided, that it was the right moment to rebel and she quietly got herself enrolled in a, school in Delhi to continue her studies., 13. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi?, What mental qualities of Santosh are brought to light by this, incident?, (Textual), Ans. Santosh’s parents agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi because she, told them that she planned to work part-time in order to pay her fees. They, realized that their daughter was independent, had a strong will-power and firm, self-belief. She could take her decisions and also stand by them., 14. How did Santosh begin to climb, mountains?, (Textual), Ans. Santosh Yadav began to climb mountains when she met some, mountaineers in the Aravalli Hills, who not only let her join them but also, motivated her for mountain climbing. She had gone to the Aravallis after she, had seen villagers from her room (at the Kasturba Hostel in Maharani College,, Jaipur) cross the hills and disappear beyond., 15. What did Santosh do after being motivated by the Mountaineers to, take to climbing?, Ans. Santosh saved money and enrolled herself in a course at Uttarkashi’s, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and after completion of her semester in the

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B Goswami’s Notes, college, headed straight for the institute to be able to reach for her training in, time., 16. Why did Santosh write a letter of apology to her father?, Ans. Santosh had got herself enrolled in the Uttarkashi Nehru Institute of, Mountaineering without seeking her father’s permission. She had thought of, talking to her family about this during her holidays. However, there was hardly, any time between the end of the semester and her reporting date at the institute., Due to her inability to go home, she wrote a letter of apology to her father., 17. As a climber, what qualities was Santosh Yadav gifted with?, Ans. As a climber, Santos was gifted with an iron will, great physical endurance, and an amazing mental toughness. All these qualities, coupled with her, resistance to cold and altitude helped her prove her mettle in climbing mountains, again and again., 18. When did Santosh get an opportunity to scale Mt. Everest?, Ans. Santosh got an opportunity to scale Mt. Everest in 1992, just four years, after she had joined the Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. She was, hardly twenty years of age at that time when she became the youngest woman, in the world to scale the highest peak., Q19. How did Santosh’s seniors and fellow climbers appreciate her?, Ans. Santosh’s seniors appreciated her for her climbing skills, physical fitness, and mental strength. On the other hand, her fellow climbers admired her for her, team spirit and her genuine concern for her fellow climbers., Q20. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s, concern for her team-mates?, (Textual), Ans. During the 1992 Everest expedition, one of her team-mates was in a very, critical condition in South Col. Santosh made all efforts to look after him., Unfortunately, the climber could not be saved. However, she did succeed in, saving the life of another fellow-climber, Mohan Singh. Santosh shared her, oxygen with him and saved his life. these incidents show her concern for her, teammates., 21.when did Santosh scale the mt.everest for the second time?, Ans. Santosh was invited by an Indo-Nepalese Women’s expedition to scale, Mt. Everest within a year of her first expedition in 1992. Santosh joined them to, climb the Everest for the second time. Thus, she scaled the Everest twice setting, a record as the only woman to have scaled the Everest two times., 22. Why is Santosh Yadav’s name recorded twice for climbing Mount, Everest?, Ans. Santosh Yadav earned the credit for being the youngest woman in the, world to climb the Mount Everest. She was all of twenty years when she scaled, the peak for the first time in 1992. She earned another credit when she climbed, Mount Everest for the second time soon after. Now her name was recorded

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B Goswami’s Notes, again for being the only woman in the world to have climbed the mighty Everest, twice., 23. How did the government of India honour Santosh Yadav?, Ans. The government of India recognized Santosh’s achievements as a, celebrated mountaineer. Acknowledging her feat as the only woman to climb, Mount Everest twice, the government bestowed upon her one of the nation’s, top honours, the Padmashri., Q24. What shows Santosh’s concern for the, environment?, (Textual), Ans. Santosh’s fervent concern for the environment is indicated by the fact that, she couldn’t stand the sight of the Himalayas littered with garbage. Hence, she, collected and brought down as much as 500kg of refuse from the pristine, mountains., Q20. How did Santosh feel when she found herself on the ‘top of the, world’ at the summit of the Everest?, Or, How does Santosh describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?, Or (Textual), What was the most spiritual and proud moment for Santosh Yadav?, Ans. Santosh Yadav, while standing on the ‘top of the world’, was, overwhelmed with emotions of patriotism and ecstasy. She felt proud as an, Indian when she unfurled the tricolour on Mount Everest. She was so happy, that she experienced a kind of spiritual bliss. She found it hard to articulate her, feelings., 21. What is the special distinction of Santosh Yadav as a mountaineer?, Ans. Santosh Yadav is the only woman in the world who has conquered Mt, Everest twice. She is a woman who got this distinction rising up from a rural, background., 22. What type of a social system was there is in the village when Santosh, was, born?, Ans. In those days the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing, but the birth, of a daughter was not generally welcomed in the society., 23., Give, a, brief, sketch, of, Santosh’s, family., Ans. Santosh was born in the small village of ofioniyawas in Haryana. Her, parents were affluent landowners. She was the only sister of five Brothers., 24. How did Santosh show the contradiction to her name?, Ans. The girl was given the name Santosh, which means contentment’. But, Santosh was not always content with her place in the traditional way of life. She, began living life on her own terms from the start., 25. What did Santosh tell her parents regarding her marriage?, Ans. Santosh was not in favour of early married life. She threatened her parents, that she would never marry if she would not get a proper education.

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B Goswami’s Notes, Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in, about 100 -150 words each, 1. Write a brief character sketch of Santosh Yaday., Ans. Santosh Yadav was born in a traditional family. She was born in the small, village of Joniyawas in Haryana. The girl was given the name Santosh, which, means ‘contentment.’ But Santosh was not always content with her place in a, traditional way of life. She began living life on her own terms from the start., Where ever other girls wore traditional Indian dresses. Santosh preferred short., Santosh did not yield to the traditions. In opposition to her family, she enrolled, herself in a school in Delhi. When her parents refused to pay for her education,, she politely informed them of her plans to earn money by working part-time to, pay her school fees. This shows that she was a determined child. She, developed a love for mountaineering. She saved money and enrolled herself in, a course of mountaineering. She scaled Mt. Everest twice. This is the, achievement of her heroic character., , QUICK REVIEW OF THE CHAPTER, 1. In which society was Santosh born?, (A) where the birth of a son was a blessing (B) where the birth of a daughter, was a blessing, (C )both (A) and (B), (D) none of the above, Ans. (A) where the birth of a son was a blessing, 2. What request did the unborn child’s grandmother make to the holy, man?, (A) blessing for a son, (B) blessing for money, (C) blessing for milk, (D) blessing for a daughter, Ans. ( C) blessing for a daughter, 3.Santosh has scales Mt Everest ________., (A) once, (B) twice, (C) thrice, (D) four times, Ans. (B) twice, 4. What is the name of Santosh Yadav’s village?, (A) Joniyawas, (B) Hariyawas, (C) Bariyawas, (D) Jenna was, Ans. (A) Joniyawas, 5. Which district of Haryana does Santosh belong?

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B Goswami’s Notes, (A) Bhiwani, (C) Rewari, Ans. (C) Rewari, , (B) Mahendragarh, (D) Jhajjar, , 6. What does `Santosh’ mean?, (A) contentment, (B) discontentment, (C) greed, (D) Bravery, Ans. (A) contentment, 7. Santosh left home to get herself enrolled in :, (A) Rewari, (B) Delhi, (C) Gurgaon, (D) Faridabad, Ans. (B) Delhi, 8.From where did Santosh do her graduation?, (A) Rewari, (B) Delhi, (C) Jaipur, (D) Mumbai, Ans. (C) Jaipur, 9. For what did Santosh train herself in Uttarkashi?, (A) mountaineering, (B) acting, (C) swimming, (D) skating, Ans. (A) mountaineering, 10. Santosh was fully equipped with :, (A) an iron will, (B) physical endurance, (C) mental toughness, (D) all of the above, Ans. (D) all of the above, 11. When did Santosh scale Mt Everest for the first time?, (A) in 1992, (B) in 1993, (C) in 1994, (D) in 1995, Ans. (A) in 1992, 12. What shows her concern for the environment?, (A) collecting 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas, (B) climbing mountain, (C) helping other climbers, (D) all of the above, Ans. (A) collecting 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas, 13. At what age did Santosh scale Mt Everest for the first time?, (A) eighteen, (B) nineteen, (C) twenty, (D) twenty one, Ans. (C) twenty, 14. What is considered the roof of the world?, (A) sky, (B) stars

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B Goswami’s Notes, (C) top of Mt Everest, (D) all of the, above, Ans. (C) top of Mt. Everest, Value-based questionsShort Answer Type Questions (30 to 40 words), Short Answer Type Questions, Long Answer Type Questions, 1. Write a brief character sketch of Santosh Yaday., Ans. Santosh Yadav was born in a traditional family. She was born in the small, village of Joniyawas in Haryana. The girl was given the name Santosh, which, means ‘contentment.’ But Santos was not always content with her place in a, traditional way of life. She began living life on her own terms from the start., Where ever other girls wore traditional Indian dresses. Santosh preferred short., Santosh did not yield to the traditions. In opposition to her family, she enrolled, herself in a school in Delhi. When her parents refused to pay for her education,, she politely informed them of her plans to earn money by working part-time to, pay her school fees. This shows that she was a determined child. She, developed a love for mountaineering. She saved money and enrolled herself in, a course of mountaineering. She scaled Mt. Everest twice. This is the, achievement of her heroic character., 2. How did Santosh carve her own destiny?, Or, “If I chose a correct and a rational path, the others around me had to, change, not me”, said Santosh Yaday. How does her life justify her, words?, Ans. Born to conservative parents in a patriarchal, gender-biased and rigidly, conventional society, Santosh did not want to let norms dictate her life. She, never wanted to adhere to the irrational, hackneyed customs and wanted to live, life on her own terms. In fact, she believed that if she chose a correct and a, rational path, others would have to change and align themselves to her choices., Averse to gender discrimination, she resisted the pressure to get married at the, young age of sixteen. She declared that she would not marry at all if denied, proper education., Defying tradition, she got enrolled in a school in Delhi. When her parents refused, to pay for her schooling, she informed them that she would work part-time to, manage her school fees. Realising their daughter’s determination, they had to, submit., Taking up mountaineering as her career was also an independent decision., However, she tried her best not to hurt her parents and wrote a letter of apology, to her father for not having sought his permission before joining the Nehru, Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi. Thus, in spite of all the odds, Santosh

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B Goswami’s Notes, chose for herself a path which was absolutely unthinkable and unheard of for, girls in orthodox society. She, thus, managed to carve her own destiny., 3. Santosh decided to fight the system in her own “quiet way”, says the, author. How did Santosh rebel but quietly?, Ans. Santosh was a very rational, progressive, and sensible girl, who wished to, shape her life herself. Though it was. not easy for a girl to fight the rigid system, of those times, Santosh was confident that if she chose a correct and rational, path, she would be able to change things around her. She waited patiently for, the right moment to take up the issues with the orthodox, irrational and, hackneyed traditions that obstructed her aspirations and her goals. For, example, she opposed her parents’ decision to marry her off at the early age of, sixteen and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. When her parents refused, to pay for her education in the city, she told them politely that she would earn, money for her fees by working part-time. She quietly made it clear that she was, determined to overcome all obstacles. Finally, her parents had to, surrender. Her decision to take up mountaineering as a career was also, handled very boldly and fearlessly by her. She took admission in Uttarkashi’s, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering without seeking the permission of her parents., Her parents had no choice but to accept her decision. Thus, Santosh rebelled, against the orthodox, conservative system in a quiet but sure way., 4. Santosh had all the qualities of a good mountaineer. Comment., Ans. Mountaineering is a challenging career which demands great physical and, mental strength. It requires boldness, fearlessness, sturdiness and faith in one’s, abilities. Santosh Yadav was, in fact, made for mountaineering as she was, endowed with all the qualities that are pre-requisites for this career. Just within, a span of four years of her training in climbing, Santosh successfully scaled Mt., Everest. Again she repeated this feat in less than a year’s time and became the, only woman in the world to have scaled the Everest twice. All this was made, possible with her climbing skills, physical fitness and mental strength. Her iron, will, physical endurance and mental toughness infused her with immense, confidence. Her resistance to cold and altitude proved to be added advantages., All these qualities, coupled with her team-spirit and her concern for her fellow, climbers made her not only a good mountaineer but also a very popular one, among her superiors and her fellow climbers., 5. Santosh is not only a good mountaineer but also a genuinely good, human being. Discuss., Ans. Santosh Yadav proved her mountaineering skills quite early in her career., She displayed an unflinching will and a fearless mind that fought a rigid,, orthodox society to rise to the top. But the stern will and bold decisions did not, smother her qualifies of co-operation and concern for others., That Santosh is endowed with a caring heart is obvious from the fact that she, took great care of a climber at the South Col. Though, the climber could not be

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B Goswami’s Notes, saved, Santosh’s concern for him was really commendable. In another incident,, she saved the life of a fellow climber, Mohan Singh by sharing her own oxygen, with him. This sense of sacrifice and team-spirit won for her the esteem of her, team-mates. Moreover, Santosh’s heart overflowed with patriotism when she, unfurled the national flag on the top of Mt. Everest. Her concern for the purity of, the environment also proves that she is a good human being. Such is her love, for nature that she brought down five hundred kilograms of rubbish from the, Everest. Thus, Santosh is blessed with the human qualities of both head and, heart.