⭐ CHAPTER -Reach for the Top

(PART I: SANTOSH YADAV)

Santosh Yadav, the only woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice, was born in a society where girls were not welcomed. But she was never satisfied with traditional ways of living. She chose her own path and made her own decisions. She insisted on getting a good education and even left home for Delhi when she was pressurised for early marriage.

During her college days in Jaipur, she saw mountaineers climbing the Aravalli hills and joined them out of curiosity. Later, she trained at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Her strong willpower, physical endurance, and determination helped her scale Mt. Everest at the age of twenty. She showed great courage during the climb by helping fellow climbers. She earned respect, set records, and received the Padmashri award. She is also known for her environmental concern—bringing down 500 kg of garbage from the Himalayas.

⭐ (PART II: MARIA SHARAPOVA)

Maria Sharapova, a tennis star from Siberia, became world number one at just eighteen. Her success was the result of hard work, sacrifice, and strong mental toughness. At nine, she went to the USA for training while her mother stayed back due to visa issues. She lived alone in tough hostel conditions but remained determined.

Maria was insulted and humiliated by senior players, but instead of giving up, she became stronger. Her achievements include winning Wimbledon in 2004 and reaching the top world ranking in 2005. She calls herself Russian, even though she lives in the USA. Besides tennis, she likes fashion, singing, dancing, and reading. For her, money is a motivation, but becoming number one is her dream.

⭐ HINDI TRANSLATION (SUMMARY IN HINDI)

सारांश – भाग I: संतोष यादव

संतोष यादव, जो दो बार माउंट एवरेस्ट फतह करने वाली दुनिया की एकमात्र महिला हैं, एक ऐसे समाज में पैदा हुईं जहाँ बेटियों का जन्म बहुत स्वागत योग्य नहीं माना जाता था। लेकिन संतोष बचपन से ही परंपराओं को नहीं मानती थीं। वे अपनी मर्जी से जीवन जीना चाहती थीं। जब परिवार ने कम उम्र में शादी का दबाव बनाया, तो वे दिल्ली पढ़ने चली गईं।

जयपुर में पढ़ाई के दौरान उन्हें पहाड़ चढ़ने का शौक हुआ और उन्होंने नेहरू पर्वतारोहण संस्थान से प्रशिक्षण लिया। अपनी मजबूत इच्छाशक्ति और कठोर परिश्रम से उन्होंने बीस साल की उम्र में एवरेस्ट फतह किया। उन्होंने पर्वतारोहण में साथियों की मदद करके मानवता भी दिखाई। उन्हें पद्मश्री से भी सम्मानित किया गया। वे पर्यावरण के प्रति भी संवेदनशील हैं और पहाड़ों से 500 किलो कचरा नीचे लाई थीं।

सारांश – भाग II: मारिया शारापोवा

मारिया शारापोवा, साइबेरिया की एक रूसी लड़की, मात्र अठारह साल की उम्र में विश्व नंबर 1 बनीं। उनकी सफलता कठोर मेहनत और त्याग का परिणाम थी। नौ साल की उम्र में वे प्रशिक्षित होने अमेरिका गईं, पर उनकी माँ वीज़ा न मिलने के कारण पीछे रह गईं।

होस्टल में उन्हें कई कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ा, लेकिन मारिया ने हार नहीं मानी। वरिष्ठ खिलाड़ी उनसे बदसलूकी करते थे, लेकिन उन्होंने सब सहकर अपने लक्ष्य पर ध्यान रखा। 2004 में उन्होंने विम्बलडन जीता और 2005 में विश्व नंबर 1 बनीं। वे अपने रूसी होने पर गर्व करती हैं। उन्हें फैशन, गाना, डांस और आर्थर कॉनन डॉयल के उपन्यास पढ़ना पसंद है। उनके लिए पैसा महत्वपूर्ण है, लेकिन नंबर 1 बनना उनका असली सपना है।

⭐ TOUGH WORD MEANINGS (with Hindi)

⭐ TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS WITH EASY ANSWERS

I. Answer in 1–2 sentences

1. Why was the holy man surprised?
Because Santosh’s grandmother told him they did not want a son, which was unusual in that society.

2. How did Santosh show she didn’t accept unreasonable things?
She refused to follow traditional dress and wore shorts like boys.

3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school?
Because of the family tradition that girls must study in the village school.

4. When and why did she leave home?
At the age of sixteen, to study in Delhi because her parents wanted her to marry early.

5. Why did her parents agree to pay her fees?
Because she threatened to earn money herself; this showed her determination and courage.

II. Short paragraph answers (30 words)

1. How did Santosh begin climbing mountains?
From her hostel window, she watched climbers on the Aravalli Hills. Out of curiosity she joined them and soon developed interest in mountaineering.

2. What incidents show her concern for teammates?
She tried to save a dying climber at South Col and saved Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen.

3. What shows her concern for the environment?
She brought down 500 kg of garbage from the Himalayas during an expedition.

4. How does Santosh describe her feeling at the summit?
She felt proud, emotional, and spiritually uplifted when she unfurled the Indian flag on top of Everest.

5. Why did she enter the record books twice?
First, for being the youngest woman to scale Everest; second, for being the only woman to climb it twice.

III. Complete the statements

1. Santosh used to watch villagers climbing the Aravalli hills.
2. She wrote a letter of apology because she joined mountaineering training without permission.
3. Her climbing skills impressed her seniors while her concern for others endeared her to fellow climbers.

IV. Word meanings from text

1. assumed
2. rational
3. custom
4. urge
5. endurance