Reach for the Top
Part 1
Santosh Yadav
- Santosh is a woman mountaineer who scaled Mount Everest, not once but twice, Such a feat is considered unique. She was born in Joniyawas, a tiny village in Rewari district of Haryana. The family had five sons before she was born. Generally, male children are preferred over female ones. When Santosh was in her mother’s womb, a wandering holy man happened to visit the family. It’s customary for such sadhus to bless the people who meet him. On that occasion, he was standing close to the pregnant mother and her mother-in-law. It was assumed that the would-be mother would ask for a son, but her mother-in-law stepped in to say that they wanted a daughter, no more son. Such an unconventional stand was surprising. Nevertheless, the visiting sadhu blessed the pregnant woman and told her that she would give birth to a daughter.
- The female child was born, and named Santosh. This word means ‘contentment’. Santosh grew up in a very different manner. From the start, she loved to think, behave, and dress like a boy. She was determined to stick to her calling, and became an uncompromising, and a strong-willed girl who clung to her inner desire. She felt, if she remained firm in her ways, others would fall in line gradually.
—————————————-To be continued ———————-