Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to ascend Mt. Everest (29,029 ft), the world’s highest summit.
Bachendri Pal first tasted the thrill of the mountains at the age of twelve. It was exhilarating. With dreams in her eyes and conviction at heart, Bachendri joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering to learn the ropes of climbing.
In 1982, Bachendri climbed the Gangotri (21,900 ft.) and the Rudugaria (19,091 ft.), her first milestone.
Two years later, Bachendri was chosen to be a part of the fourth organized expedition to Mount Everest. The trek was laden with perils, freezing sub-zero temperatures and enervating altitude sickness. And when a massive avalanche broke the morale of half the members of the team who abandoned their journeys, this intrepid woman refused to give up.
On 23rd May 1984, Bachendri scaled Mt. Everest, creating a powerful new record as the first Indian woman to reach the top of the world.
For her stupendous lifetime’s achievement, Bachendri Pal was awarded the Padma Shri. She is also acclaimed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Mountaineering and river rafting – Bachendri pursues her life’s passions even today, as she spearheads several only-women expeditions across the formidable Himalayan outdoors, and trains youngsters to surmount their fears.
Why we find her inspiring?
– Because she is fearless and daring and stimulates us to seek ‘the adventurer’ in ourselves
– Because she exemplifies the proverb – when the going gets tough, the tough get going
– Because she galvanizes women out of their comfort zones towards new and gigantic feats
– Because she proves that with single-mindedness, no challenge is insurmountable – be it scaling mountain peaks or defying the naysayers.
Suggested links
The Inner Himalayas
Values stronger than steel (video)
Pic credit: http://nameisbond.files.wordpress.com/
Women's Web is a vibrant community for Indian women, an authentic space for us to be ourselves and talk about all things that matter to us. Follow us via the read more...
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
Please enter your email address