Chapter 7, “Reach for the Top- Part 1 (Santosh Yadav)” Summary, Theme, Word Meanings, Character Sketch, Important Excerpts, Extra Questions with Textbook Questions Answers.

Chapter 7: Reach for the Top (Part 1- Santosh Yadav)

More from Beehive: Class 9-PROSE, Class 9- POETRY, Class 9- MOMENTS

Vocabulary:

Word Meanings and Idiomatic Expressions:

Summary ‘Reach for the Top’:

Santosh Yadav, the first woman to scale Mount Everest twice, broke societal norms early on. Born in Joniyawas, Haryana, in a family with five brothers, she pursued education despite the pressure to marry young. 

Determined and independent, she attended Maharani College in Jaipur and, by chance, discovered mountaineering. She trained at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and scaled Everest at 20. 

Santosh’s bravery and compassion shone during her expeditions as she helped fellow climbers in distress. Within a year, she climbed Everest again, earning the prestigious Padmashri award. 

As a passionate environmentalist, Santosh has removed 500 kilograms of Himalayan garbage. Her story inspires perseverance, courage, and a commitment to making a difference.

Theme ‘Reach for the Top’:

Breaking Societal Norms:

The central theme of this biographical piece is determination and breaking societal barriers. Santosh Yadav’s journey reflects her unwavering resolve to overcome traditional expectations and societal norms. 

Regardless of the hurdles posed by a patriarchal society that prioritised sons over daughters, she bravely followed her dreams, challenging norms such as early marriage and restricted education for girls.

Her achievements highlight the power of resilience, self-belief, and the pursuit of excellence. She inspires others to challenge stereotypes and achieve greatness. 

The excerpt also touches on themes of compassion and environmental responsibility, as Santosh not only aided fellow climbers in need but also contributed to preserving the natural beauty of the Himalayas.

Character Sketch of Santosh Yadav:

1. Early Life:

• Meaning of Name: Contentment – though she often defied expectations to chart her unique path.

• Family: Born in Joniyawas, Haryana. Sixth child, with five brothers, born into a patriarchal society.

• Grew up in a society where daughters were less valued than sons.

2. Personality:

• Bold and Determined: Stood against societal norms, pursuing education and mountaineering.

• Resilient: Overcoming challenges like family pressure and societal expectations.

• Compassionate: Helped fellow climbers in distress during expeditions.

• Environmentally Conscious: Collected and brought down 500 kg of garbage from the Himalayas.

3. Achievements:

• Scaled Mount Everest twice, becoming the first woman in the world to do so.

• The youngest woman to conquer Everest at 20.

• Awarded the Padmashri for her contributions to mountaineering.

4. Legacy:

• A role model for breaking barriers and inspiring others to chase their dreams.

• Symbolises courage, perseverance, and a commitment to societal and environmental betterment.

Questions Answers ‘Reach for the Top’:

Thinking about the Text: 

1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1)

The ‘holy man’ was surprised because Santosh’s grandmother told him they did not want a son, which was unusual in a society that preferred sons over daughters.

2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)

Santosh preferred wearing shorts instead of traditional Indian dresses, showing her determination to live on her terms.

3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)

Despite being affluent, Santosh was sent to the local village school because her parents followed the custom of educating daughters at the village school rather than sending them to better schools.

4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)

Santosh left home for Delhi when she was sixteen to continue her education. Her parents were pressuring her to marry, which she did not want.

5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident? (4)

Santosh’s parents agreed to pay for her schooling after she threatened to work part-time to pay for her fees. This shows her determination, independence, and resourcefulness.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words). 

Q1: How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

A1: Santosh began climbing mountains after observing villagers disappearing up the Aravalli Hills from her hostel room. She met mountaineers there, who encouraged her to join them, sparking her interest in mountaineering.

Q2: What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her teammates?

A2: During the Everest expedition, Santosh showed her concern by sharing her oxygen with a fellow climber, Mohan Singh, thus saving his life, even though she couldn’t save another climber who was dying.

Q3: What shows her concern for the environment?

A3: Santosh’s concern for the environment was evident when she collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas, demonstrating her commitment to preserving the mountains’ natural beauty.

Q4: How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

A4: Santosh describes her feelings at the summit of Everest as overwhelming. She says it took time for the enormity of the moment to sink in. She felt spiritual pride while holding the Indian flag aloft.

Q5: Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this?

A5: Santosh Yadav entered the record books for being the first woman to scale Everest twice and the youngest woman to conquer Everest at 20.

III. Complete the following statements. 

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch villagers ascend the Aravalli Hills and then disappear, which inspired her to explore mountaineering.

2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because she had enrolled in the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi without his permission.

3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her climbing skills, physical fitness, and mental toughness, while her concern for others and desire to work together endeared her to fellow climbers.

IV. Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.) 

1. Took to be true without proof (1): Assumed

2. Based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): Rational

3. The usual way of doing things (3): Custom

4. A strong desire arising from within (5): Urge

5. The power to endure, without falling ill (7): Endurance

Extra Questions ‘Reach for the Top’:

Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1: Describe the societal norms Santosh Yadav was born into and how her family reacted to the birth of a girl.

A1: Santosh was born in a society that preferred sons. While daughters were not cursed, they were less valued. Surprisingly, her grandmother openly wished for a girl. This unusual reaction showed her family’s progressive attitude and laid the foundation for Santosh’s journey of defying societal norms.

Q2: How did Santosh Yadav’s choice of attire reflect her attitude towards societal expectations?

A2: Santosh wore shorts while other girls followed traditional dress codes. This choice showed her independence and rejection of societal rules. She believed in following a logical, correct path and expected others to adjust to her decisions, showing her determination to live her way.

Q3: What challenges did Santosh face in pursuing her education, and how did she overcome them?

A3: Santosh faced pressure to marry at sixteen and lacked financial support for school. She refused marriage and threatened to work part-time to pay fees. Impressed by her determination, her parents eventually agreed to fund her education, enabling her to continue studying and achieve her goals.

Q4: What inspired Santosh Yadav to take up mountaineering during her time at Maharani College?

A4: From her hostel, Santosh watched villagers climb the Aravalli Hills and vanish. Curious, she explored and met mountaineers who encouraged her to join them. This chance encounter inspired her to mountaineering, beginning her journey to becoming a world-class climber.

Q5: How did Santosh Yadav’s determination and skills contribute to her success as a mountaineer?

A5: Santosh trained hard and quickly developed exceptional climbing skills. Her physical endurance, mental strength, and willpower helped her overcome challenges. At just twenty, she climbed Mount Everest, becoming the youngest woman to achieve this milestone.

Q6: Narrate the incident during the 1992 Everest mission that showcased Santosh Yadav’s compassion.

A6: During the 1992 Everest climb, Santosh failed to save a dying climber at South Col. However, she saved another climber, Mohan Singh, by sharing her oxygen. This act showed her bravery, kindness, and selflessness.

Q7: What records did Santosh Yadav set, and how did the Indian government recognise her achievements?

A7: Santosh became the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice, setting a world record. Her achievement brought pride to India, and the Indian government recognised it by awarding her the Padmashri, one of the country’s highest honours. The Padmashri celebrates her extraordinary contribution to mountaineering and her remarkable determination.

Q8: How did Santosh Yadav describe her experience of being ‘on top of the world’?

A8: Santosh described standing on Mount Everest as a spiritual moment. She unfurled the Indian flag, feeling immense pride as an Indian. The achievement was overwhelming, and she cherished the experience of raising the tricolour to the highest point on Earth.

Q9: What environmental initiative did Santosh Yadav undertake during her mountaineering expeditions?

A9: Santosh cared deeply for the environment. She collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas during her expeditions. This effort demonstrated her commitment to protecting nature and keeping the mountains clean for future generations.

Q10: Explain how Santosh Yadav’s journey reflects her determination to live on her terms.

A10: Santosh rejected societal norms by refusing early marriage and pursuing education. Despite challenges, she trained hard to become a mountaineer. Her achievements, including climbing Mount Everest twice, show her strong will, independence, and commitment to living her way. She inspires others to follow their dreams.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1: How did Santosh Yadav challenge traditional gender norms in her society, and what actions demonstrated her determination?

A1: Santosh Yadav challenged traditional gender norms by refusing to accept the usual role for girls in her village. While other girls wore traditional dresses, she preferred wearing shorts. She also fought against the idea of getting married at a young age. 

At sixteen, when many girls in her village were expected to marry, Santosh threatened her parents that she would never marry without a proper education. This showed her determination to create her path in life. She moved to Delhi to study, working part-time to pay for her school fees, proving she was ready to challenge societal expectations to achieve her goals.

Q2: Describe the role of Santosh’s upbringing and family background in shaping her journey to become a mountaineer.

A2: Santosh Yadav came from a family of affluent landowners, which meant they had the resources to send their children to good schools. However, Santosh faced resistance due to traditional expectations in her family. 

While her brothers attended better schools, she had to settle for the local village school. Her parents also did not initially support her pursuit of education in Delhi. 

Despite this, Santosh’s strong will to follow her dreams led her to Jaipur, where she saw villagers climbing the Aravalli Hills. This experience motivated her to take up mountaineering. Her family’s resources allowed her to explore new paths, but her determination shaped her success.

Q3: What significance did the Aravalli Hills and the Kasturba Hostel play in sparking Santosh Yadav’s interest in mountaineering?

A3: The Aravalli Hills and the Kasturba Hostel significantly inspired Santosh Yadav’s interest in mountaineering. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh could see villagers climbing the Aravalli Hills, and she became curious about where they were going. One day, she checked it out and found mountaineers who encouraged her to join them. 

The interaction sparked her desire to try mountaineering. With its view of the hills, the hostel was where Santosh’s passion for climbing began. It was a turning point, as the sight of the climbers made her believe she could also conquer the mountains, leading her to pursue formal training in mountaineering.

Q4: How does Santosh Yadav’s journey reflect the themes of determination and self-reliance?

A4: Santosh Yadav’s journey is a perfect example of determination and self-reliance. From a young age, she was determined to make her own choices, even though society expected her to follow traditional roles for women. 

When her family wanted her to marry early, Santosh refused and insisted on getting an education. When her parents disagreed, she worked part-time to pay her school fees. Later, she saved money to enrol in a mountaineering course. 

Her journey showed she could rely on herself to achieve her dreams, not wait for others to help her. She proved that one can overcome obstacles and follow passion with hard work and determination.

Q5: In what ways did Santosh Yadav’s achievements contribute to changing perceptions about women in Indian society?

A5: Santosh Yadav’s achievements helped change perceptions about women in Indian society by showing that women can succeed in fields traditionally dominated by men, like mountaineering. 

She became the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice, a major accomplishment that inspired many. Her success proved that women can achieve extraordinary feats, breaking away from societal expectations that often limit women’s opportunities. 

Santosh’s bravery and skill challenged the belief that women should only stay in traditional roles. Her story encouraged other young women to follow their dreams, no matter the obstacles, and helped India see women as capable of achieving greatness in any field.

Q6: Why was Santosh Yadav’s decision to scale Mount Everest a personal triumph and a national pride for India?

A6: Santosh Yadav’s decision to scale Mount Everest was a personal triumph because it showed her determination and hard work. At just 20 years old, she became the youngest woman in the world to reach the top of Everest. 

It was a massive achievement for her, as she had worked hard and trained for years to achieve this goal. It also became a national pride for India because she represented the country at the world’s highest peak. 

By achieving this feat, Santosh proved her strength and made India proud by showing that women from India could achieve greatness in difficult and dangerous fields like mountaineering.

Q7: How does Santosh’s concern for others during her expeditions highlight her qualities beyond physical endurance?

A7: Santosh Yadav’s concern for others during her expeditions shows that she had qualities beyond just physical endurance. For example, during her 1992 Everest expedition, she shared her oxygen with a fellow climber, Mohan Singh, who was in danger of dying. 

By doing so, she risked her own life to save him, showing her kindness and selflessness. Helping others highlights her mental strength, compassion, and sense of responsibility. 

It also showed that Santosh was focused on personal success and cared deeply for her fellow climbers. Thus, she was a true team player and valued human life over individual achievement.

Q8: How do you think Santosh Yadav’s life inspires young people, especially girls?

Q8: Santosh Yadav’s life inspires young people, especially girls, because it shows they can achieve anything, no matter the obstacles. She broke free from the traditional expectations placed on girls in her society. 

Despite facing pressure to marry early, Santosh focused on her education and dreams. She became the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice, proving that girls can succeed in areas that were once considered impossible for them. 

Her story teaches young girls that they can be strong, independent, and brave. Santosh’s life encourages girls to chase their dreams, follow their passions, and never give up, no matter how difficult the journey may seem.

Q9: Discuss the significance of Santosh Yadav’s environmental contributions during her Everest expeditions.

A9: Santosh Yadav’s environmental contributions during her Everest expeditions are significant because they highlight her responsibility toward nature. While many climbers leave trash behind, Santosh collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. 

This act showed her care for the environment and her understanding of the impact of human activities on nature. By cleaning up the mountains, Santosh helped preserve the Everest region’s beauty and set an example for others. 

Her actions encourage others to be responsible and to protect the environment while pursuing their goals. Santosh’s environmental work adds another layer to her achievements, showing her commitment to adventure and conservation.

Q10: If you were in Santosh’s place, what challenges would you face, and how would you overcome them?

A10: If I were in Santosh Yadav’s position, some of the challenges I might face would include overcoming societal expectations, dealing with family pressure, and handling the physical and mental challenges of mountaineering. 

In Santosh’s case, her family wanted her to marry early, and society expected her to follow traditional roles. I would overcome this challenge by staying focused on my goals, like she did, and respectfully communicating my desires to my family. 

Mountaineering involves physical challenges, such as harsh weather and extreme altitude, but I would prepare mentally and physically, just as Santosh did, through hard training and determination. Overcoming these challenges requires patience, courage, and self-belief.

Important Excerpts ‘Reach for the Top’:

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.”

• It highlights the societal context in which Santosh was born and the significance of her achievements.

2. “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.”

• Emphasises her strong-willed and independent personality.

3. “She threatened her parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education.”

• Illustrates her boldness in prioritising education over societal expectations.

4. “I used to watch villagers from my room, going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while. One day I decided to check it out myself. I found nobody except a few mountaineers.”

• Shows how her curiosity led her to discover mountaineering.

5. “Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance, and an amazing mental toughness, she proved herself repeatedly.”

• Reflects the qualities that contributed to her success as a mountaineer.

6. “During the 1992 Everest mission, Santosh Yadav provided special care to a climber who lay dying at the South Col. She was unfortunately unsuccessful in saving him.”

• Highlights her compassion and humanity during challenging expeditions.

7. “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.”

• Marks her record-setting achievement of scaling Everest twice.

8. “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.”

• Captures her pride and the emotional impact of her achievement.

9. “Also a fervent environmentalist, Santosh collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.”

Reflects her commitment to environmental conservation.