santosh yadav biography in english class 9

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Biography of Santosh Yadav : Early Life, Education and Career

Santosh Yadav is an Indian mountaineer who is known for being the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice and the first woman to successfully climb Mount Everest from the Kangshung Face. She was born on April 8, 1967, in a small village in Haryana, India. Yadav developed an interest in mountaineering while studying at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi, and she went on to complete several advanced mountaineering courses. In addition to her Mount Everest climbs, Yadav has also climbed several other peaks, including Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and Gasherbrum II. She has received several awards and honors for her achievements, including the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India.

Early Life of Santosh Yadav

Santosh Yadav was born on April 8, 1967, in the small village of Joniyawas in Rewari district of Haryana, India . She grew up in a family of farmers and attended a local school. After completing her high school education, Yadav studied at Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in science.

Yadav’s interest in mountaineering developed during her time at university. She joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi in 1989, where she completed her basic mountaineering course. She then went on to complete several advanced mountaineering courses, including the search and rescue course. Yadav’s dedication to mountaineering led her to leave her job as a schoolteacher and pursue mountaineering full-time.

Yadav’s early life was not easy, as she faced several obstacles and prejudices due to her gender and background. However, her passion for mountaineering and her determination helped her overcome these challenges and achieve her goals.

Education of Santosh Yadav

Santosh Yadav completed her early education in a local school in her village of Joniyawas in Rewari district of Haryana, India. After completing her high school education, she earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak.

Yadav’s interest in mountaineering developed during her time at university. She then went on to pursue mountaineering full-time, and joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi in 1989. There, she completed her basic mountaineering course and went on to complete several advanced mountaineering courses, including the search and rescue course.

While santosh Yadav’s education was not directly related to mountaineering, her academic background in science and her dedication to learning and exploration have undoubtedly contributed to her success in the field of mountaineering.

Career of Santosh Yadav

Santosh Yadav is a renowned Indian mountaineer who has achieved several notable feats in her career. Her most significant accomplishments include being the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice and the first woman to climb Mount Everest from the Kangshung Face, a challenging route on the mountain’s eastern face. She has also climbed several other peaks, including Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and Gasherbrum II.

Santosh Yadav began her career in mountaineering by joining the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi in 1989, where she completed several mountaineering courses. In 1992, she joined an Indo-Nepalese team that attempted to climb Mount Everest from the Kangshung Face. Although the expedition was unsuccessful, Yadav made it to an altitude of 8,750 meters, the highest any woman had climbed at the time.

Two years later, in 1994, Yadav returned to Mount Everest as part of a Japanese expedition and successfully summited the peak. In 1997, she climbed Mount Everest for the second time, becoming the first woman to climb the peak twice.

In addition to her mountaineering achievements , Santosh Yadav has also worked as a motivational speaker, inspiring people with her stories of perseverance, courage, and determination. She has also established a mountaineering institute in Haryana, where she shares her knowledge and experience with young people who are interested in mountaineering.

Also Read: Biography of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Awards of Santosh Yadav

Santosh Yadav has received several awards and honors for her mountaineering achievements and contributions to the field. Some of these include:

Padma Shri: In 2000, Yadav was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, for her contributions to mountaineering.

Arjuna Award: In 1999, Yadav received the Arjuna Award, which is given to outstanding athletes in India, in recognition of her mountaineering achievements.

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award: Yadav has received this award twice, in 1998 and 2003, for her contributions to mountaineering.

IMF Gold Medal: Yadav was awarded the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) Gold Medal in 1993 for her outstanding performance in mountaineering.

Meritorious Service Medal: In 2004, Yadav was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the President of India for her contributions to mountaineering and adventure sports.

character sketch of santosh yadav

frequently asked questions on santosh yadav

Who is Santosh Yadav?

Santosh Yadav is an Indian mountaineer who has climbed Mount Everest twice and several other mountains.

What is Santosh Yadav known for?

Santosh Yadav is known for being the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest from both the north and south sides.

When did Santosh Yadav climb Mount Everest?

Santosh Yadav climbed Mount Everest from the north side in 1992 and from the south side in 1993.

What other mountains has Santosh Yadav climbed?

Santosh Yadav has climbed several other mountains, including Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.

What awards has Santosh Yadav received?

Santosh Yadav has received several awards, including the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award.

What is Santosh Yadav’s background?

Santosh Yadav was born on April 8, 1967, in a small village in Haryana, India. She began her mountaineering career in 1989.

What is the significance of Santosh Yadav’s achievements?

Santosh Yadav’s achievements are significant because she broke barriers for women in mountaineering and inspired many to pursue their dreams.

What is Santosh Yadav mountaineer doing now?

I don’t have current information on what Santosh Yadav is doing now, as my knowledge cutoff is 2021.

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Santosh Yadav - Class 9 Beehive - Summary, Extra Questions, Quiz & Video

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Back Questions - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Literature | English | Class 9

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

The 'holy man' who gave Santosh's mother his blessings was surprised because in the society where Santosh was born, the birth of a s on was regarded as a blessing, and a daughter was not generally welcome . The 'holy man' assumed that Santosh's mother wanted a son, as it was the norm. However, to everyone's surprise, Santosh's grandmother, who was standing close by, told him that they did not want a son.

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Why was Santosh sent to the local school?

When did she leave home for Delhi, and why?

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?

How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

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

What shows her concern for the environment?

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

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

From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to ___________

When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because _____________

During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her ___________ while ____________endeared her to fellow climbers.

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): 2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): 3. the usual way of doing things (3): 4. a strong desire arising from within (5): 5. the power to endure without falling ill (7):

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Extra Questions - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Literature | English | Class 9

But, to everyone's surprise, the unborn child's grand­ mother, who was standing close by, told him that they did not want a son.

a. Who is the 'unborn child' referred to in the above extract? b. Who is 'him' in the above extract? c. Why was everyone surprised? d. How was grandmother's wish fulfilled?

a. The ‘unborn child’ referred to in the above extract is Santosh Yadav .

b. ‘Him’ in the above extract refers to the travelling ‘holy man’ .

c. Everyone was surprised because it was uncommon for a family to wish for a daughter in their society, which considered sons as a blessing. The fact that Santosh’s family wished for a daughter went against societal norms , which was surprising.

d. The grandmother’s wish was fulfilled when Santosh was born, the sixth child in the family and the first daughter after five sons.

How was Santosh's name self-contradictory?

When did Santosh get an opportunity to scale the Everest for the second time?

Santosh Yadav - Line by line explanation in Hindi | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

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Quiz - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

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Summary - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

Santosh Yadav , the only woman to have scaled Mt Everest twice , was born in a family where the birth of a son was considered a blessing, and a daughter was not generally welcome. Santosh was born the sixth child in a family with five sons, and her grandmother, who was present during her birth, told a travelling ‘holy man’ that they did not want a son. Santosh's parents.........

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Themes - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

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Challenging Gender Norms

• The chapter highlights the societal expectations of gender roles in traditional Indian families, where the birth of a son is considered a blessing while the birth of a daughter is not always welcomed.
• Santosh Yadav challenges these gender norms by pursuing her dreams of climbing mountains and receiving an education, despite pressure to marry at a young age.

Pursuit of Education

• Santosh Yadav is determined ...

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Important Lines - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

There are several important lines in this chapter that highlight the determination and courage of Santosh Yadav. Some of them are:

• "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."
• "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...

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Vocabulary - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

• Society - a community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.
• Blessing - the act or words of asking for God's help and protection.
• Affluent - having a great deal of money; wealthy.
• Prevailing - existing or most common at a particular time or in a particular place.
• Enrolled - to officially register...

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Plot - Santosh Yadav | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | English

Early Life and Distinctness

Santosh Yadav was born as the sixth child in a family with five sons in a small village in Haryana, India. Although expected to follow the traditional path,...

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Reach for the Top

Summary of reach for the top class 9 beehive.

Santosh Yadav was born in a traditional family. She had five brothers. 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 other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. 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. At the age of sixteen years, her parents wanted to marry her. She threatened her parents that she would never many if she did not get a proper education.

She left home and got herself enrolled 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. Parents then agreed to pay for her education. Santosh passed the high school examinations and went to Jaipur. She joined Maharani College widget a room in Kasturba Hostel. She developed a love for mountaineering while watching the Aravalli Hills’ She saved money and enrolled in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Thereafter, Santosh went on an expedition every year. Her climbing skills matured rapidly’. Also, she developed a remarkable resistance to cold and the 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. 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. However, she managed to save another climber, Mohan Singh, who would have met with the same fate had she not shared her oxygen with him. Within twelve months, Santosh found herself a member of an Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition that invited her to join them. She then conquered the Everest a second time. – She was given Padmashri Award. She is also a fervent environmentalist, Santosh collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. 

Santosh Yadav:  Santosh Yadav has been portrayed as a firm-willed, decisive, courageous, adventurous girl endowed with a rational mind and physical and mental toughness. Born in a small village of Haryana, Santosh Yadav had an independent temperament right from the beginning and wished to live life on her own terms. She knew full well that her conservative family would pressurize her to adhere to the traditional way of life. But at the same time she was aware that if she chose a correct and a rational path, she would be able to change others and win their support. Santosh Yadav had the courage to oppose what she considered to be wrong. When her parents insisted that she should get married on turning sixteen, she put her foot down and made it clear that her first priority was getting educated. Determined as she was, she got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. When the parents threatened that they would not pay her school fees, she told them that she would work part-time to pay for her education. Her parents had to finally relent before her determination. Later on, her iron will, physical endurance and mental toughness helped her to first join Maharani College Jaipur and then Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi. Her hard work and determination, mental strength and physical fitness equipped her for undertaking the dangerous journey to reach Mt. Everest, the ‘top of the world’ successfully, not once, but twice. Santosh Yadav’s humanitarian attitude and team-spirit came to the fore during her expedition when she helped her fellow climbers. Her concern for the environment was evident when she brought down as much as 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. All these qualities and amazing achievements helped Santosh earn one of the nation’s top awards, Padmashri. She is a motivation for young men and women in the world.

Santosh Yadav’s Parents:  Santosh Yadav’s parents were affluent but orthodox, conservative landlords. They liked to live according to the prevailing customs in the family. However, whenever they tried to make Santosh toe the line set by traditions and the girl offered resistance, they yielded because they loved her from the core of their hearts, and knew that she had chosen a correct and a rational path. Thus, Santosh kept on getting support from her parents, which in the long run helped her reach the zenith of glory.

संतोष यादव का जन्म एक परम्परागत परिवार में हुआ । उसके पॉच भाई थे । उसका जन्म हरियाणा के जौनियावास नामक छोटे से गांव में हुआ । लड़की का नाम संतोष रखा गया, जिसका अर्थ है सन्तुष्टि । लेकिन जीवन के परम्परागत ढंग से संतोष हमेशा संतुष्ट नहीं थी । उसने शुरु से ही अपनी इच्छा से जीवन जीने की ठान ली थी । जहाँ अन्य लड़कियों परम्परागत भारतीय पोशाक पहनती थी , वही संतोष निक्कर पसंद करती थी । संतोष के माता-पिता संपन्न भूमिपति थे जो अपने बच्चों को बढ़िया स्कूल में भेजने का भार वहन कर सकते थे, वे अपने बच्चों को देश की राजधानी दिल्ली में भी भेज सकते थे क्योंकि यह उनके बहुत निकट था । लेकिन, परम्परा का निर्वहन करते हुए जो रिवाज परिवार में प्रचलित था, तो संतोष को अपने गांव के स्थानीय स्कूल में ही पढ़ाई करनी पड़ी । 16 वर्ष की आयु में उसके माता-पिता उसका विवाह करना चाहते थे । उसने अपने माता-पिता को धमकी दे दी यदि उसने उचित पढ़ाई नहीं की तो वह कभी भी शादी नहीं करवाएगी । उसने घर छोड़ दिया और दिल्ली के एक स्कूल में अपना दाखिला करा लिया । जब उसके माता-पिता ने उसकी पढाई का खर्चा देने से मना कर दिया, तो उसने विनम्रतापूर्वक उन्हें बता दिया कि वह स्कूल समय के पश्चात नौकरी करके अपना खर्चा चला लेगी । तब उसके माता-पिता उसकी पढाई का खर्चा उठाने पर सहमत हो गए । संतोष ने हाई स्कूल की परीक्षा पास कर ली और वह जयपुर चली गई । उसने महारानी कॉलेज में दाखिला ले लिया तथा कस्तूरबा हाँस्टल में कमरा ले लिया । अरावली पर्वतों को निहारते हुए पर्वतारोहण के प्रति उसका प्यार उमड़ पड़ा । उसने धन की बचत की और उत्तरकाशी में स्थित ‘नेहरु पर्वतारोही संस्थान’ में प्रवेश किया । इसके पश्चात से, संतोष हर बर्ष पर्वतारोहण पर जाने लग गई । उसकी पर्वतों पर चढ़ने की निपुणताएँ तेजी से परिपक्व हो गई । इसके साथ ही उसमें दंड और ऊँचाई के प्रति कठोर प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक शक्ति का विकास हो गया । एक फौलादी इच्छा शक्ति, शारीरिक सहनशीलता और एक हैरान कर देने वाली मानसिक मजबूती, उसने इस सबका बार-बार प्रदर्शन किया । उसके द्वारा किए गए कठोर परिश्रम तथा लगन उसको 1992 में प्रसिद्धि के शिखर पर ले गए । जब उसने शरमाते हुए अरावली के पर्वतारोहियों से पूछा था कि क्या वे उसे अपने साथ शामिल कर सकते हैं । मुश्किल से 20 वर्ष की आयु में, संतोष यादव ने माऊंट एवरेस्ट की छोटी विजय प्राप्त कर ली और वह पूरी दुनिया की वह पर्वतारोही बन गई जिसने इतनी कम आयु में यह सफलता पा ती । यदि उसकी पर्वतों पर चढ़ने की प्रवीणता, शारीरिक योग्यता और मानसिक शक्ति ने उसके वरिष्ठ अफसरों को प्रसन्न किया बल्कि दूसरोंके प्रति उसकी और उनकें साथ मिलकर काम करने की इच्छा ने उसके साथ पर्वतारोहण कर रहे पर्वतारोहियों के मन में विशेष स्थान बना दिया । 1992 के माऊंट एवरेस्ट मिशन के दौरान, संतोष यादव ने एक पर्वतारोही की जो दक्षिणी दर्रे पर पड़ा दम तोड़ रहा था कि विशेष देखभाल की उसका दुर्भाग्य रहा कि वह उसे बचा नहीं सकी । जबकि वह एक-दूसरे पर्वतारोही, मोहन सिंह, को बचाने में सफल रही जिसका कि पहले वाले पर्वतारोही के समान हश्र होता यदि वह अपना आक्सीजन उसके साथ न बांटती । 12 महीनों के अंतर्गत संतोष ने स्वयं को भारतीय नेपाल महिला पर्वतारोही दल के सदस्य के रुप में पाए,जिसने कि इसका सदस्य बनने के आमंत्रित किया था । तब उसने दूसरी बार माऊंट एवरेस्ट पर विजय प्राप्त की । उसने पदमश्री पुरस्कार को प्राप्त किया । वह एक सच्ची –पक्की पर्यावरणविद भी है । संतोष हिमालय के ऊपर से लगभग 500 किलोग्राम कूड़ा-कर्कट एकत्र करके नीचे लाई है ।

The chapter briefly narrates the life and career of Maria Sharapova, one of the world’s best-known tennis stars. Maria’s father brought her to the U.S. to be trained in tennis when she was barely nine. Her mother Yelena could not accompany her due to Visa restrictions. In the U.S. she missed her mother badly but she knew that the sacrifice was an inevitable part of her big aspirations. Apart from the pangs of separation from the mother, the child also suffered harassment from her inconsiderate fellow trainees, who were older in age. At the training academy, Maria would go to bed at 8 p.m as she was very young. Her fellow trainees would return at 11 p.m. and to bully her, would wake her up and make her tidy the room. Instead of getting frustrated at this treatment, Maria saw its positive side and drew mental strength from this humiliation. This mental toughness gradually became a trait of her personality that helped her both as a person and as a sportswoman. It proved to be instrumental in helping her to reach the zenith of glory in the world of tennis. She bagged the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and became the number one tennis player in the world. Hard work, dedication, and mental courage paved the way to success for Sharapova. Imbued with patriotic sentiments, she feels proud to be a Russian. Though grateful to the U.S. for bringing out the best in her, she would like to represent her own country Russia at the Olympics. Although Maria is fond of fashion, singing, and dancing, she focuses all her attention on tennis. She considers tennis as both a business and a sport, which has poured riches in her life. However, her main aim is to shine as a tennis player. It is this aspiration that constantly governs her mind and motivates her for ceaseless efforts.

• Maria Sharapova was born in Siberia, Russia, in 1987. She led a charge of Russian players who came to achieve great success in the women’s game.
• She has brought her own brand of glamour to tennis by designing her own unique tennis outfits.
• At the 2007 US Open, she wore a dress with over 600 crystals sewn into it.
• She got her first tennis racket when she was four from the father of Grand Slam winner Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
• At the age of six, she attended a tennis clinic in Moscow run by Martina Navratilova, who recognized her talent and recommended that she should go to the USA to study at a famous tennis academy in Florida.
• She moved to the USA with her father in 1994. Neither of them could speak English. They had very little money and went to the tennis academy by bicycle every day.
• She turned professional in 2001 and a year later became the youngest girl ever to reach the junior final at Wimbledon.
• She won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon when she was 17. She is one of several top players who are known for loud on-court grunting. She has been the world’s highest-paid sportswoman and the women’s number one several times.

Maria   Sharapova:  Maria Sharapova is among the most renowned woman tennis stars of all times who is equally admired for her game and for her attractive looks. Former number  1, Maria Sharapova is an inspiration for everyone, especially the sportswomen. Right from her childhood, Maria was calmer, more composed, more confident and more tolerant than other children of her age. She had immense will-power and tenacity that gave her the strength to make sacrifices few people can make – separation from her mother, living alone in a hostile hostel, gruelling training schedules and only occasional meetings with her father. She put up patiently with the torment and humiliation inflicted on her by her fellow trainees. Thus, very early in her life, she learned that excellence comes at a price. Maria has always been motivated by her spirit of competitiveness and she has always toiled hard to achieve her goals. Her achievements in the world of tennis and her earnings from it are well-earned and most-deserved. Maria is also a true patriot. Although she has spent many years in the U.S., she takes immense pride in her Russian identity and retains Russian citizenship, although she remains indebted to the country of her adoption for its contribution to her life and career. She wishes to play for Russia in the Olympics if she gets an opportunity. Maria is as successful a businesswoman as she is as a sportsperson. She has skillfully handled her endorsements and is a fashionista who has a love for sophisticated evening gowns. She loves pancakes and chocolate spread with fizzy orange drinks.

Yuri and Yelena Sharapova:  Yuri and Yelena Sharapova are Maria Sharapova’s father and mother respectively. Their contribution to maria ‘s success is immense and cannot be measured in words. They identified their daughter’s potential at a very young age and decided to get her world-class training in the U.S. They knew well that it was going to be expensive and difficult, still they extended their full support to their talented daughter. Yuri worked very hard to pay for Maria’s training and Yelena tolerated the heart-wrenching separation from her dear child for two years. As parents, they displayed unflinching faith in their child’s abilities which gave Maria the boost to keep going ahead and to keep countering the challenges that came her way.

मारिया शारापोवा के बारे में निहत्था कर देने वाली और उसकी हर समय बनी रहने मुस्कान तथा सुंदर भड़कीली पोशाक से कोई चीज मेल नहीं खाती । तथा उस चीज़ ने उसे सोमवार 22 अगस्त, 2006 को महिला टैनिस में विश्व के प्रथम स्थान पर बैठा दिया । यह सब कुछ बहुत कम समय में को गया । लेकिन भयानक रुप से प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक विश्व में तेज गति से यह चढ़ाई नौ साल पहले शुरु हो चुकी थी बलिदान के ऐसे स्तर के साथ जोकि बहुत कम बच्चे ऐसा करने को तैयार हो पाते हैं ।

नन्हीं मारिया ने अभी अपना दसवां जन्मदिन भी नहीं मनाया था कि जब उसे प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त करने के सयुंक्त राज्य अमेरिका भेज दिया गया । अपने पिता यूरी के साथ फ्लोरिडा की उस यात्रा ने उसे सफलता और प्रसिद्धि के रास्ते पर चला दिया । लेकिन इसके लिए उसको अपनी मों येलेना से दो साल के लिए दिल को निचोड़ देने वासी जुदाई की आवश्यकता थी ।वीजा की समस्याओं की वजह से मां साइबेरिया में रह गई । उस नौ वर्षीय लड़की ने जीवन का महत्वपूर्ण पाठ पहले ही सीख लिया था टैनिस में सफलता की एक कीमत चुकानी पड़ती है ।

उस मजबूती का संचार मारिया में आज भी होता है । यही रहस्य था कि 2004 में उसने विम्बलडन में महिला एकल के खिताब को जीत लिया था अगले ही वर्ष संसार की नंबर एक पदवी पर अतिशीघ्रता से पहुंचने की सफलता का । जबकि साइबेरिया के बर्फीले मैदानों से लेकर टेनिस की छोटी तक पहुंचने के सफर ने टैनिस प्रेमियों के दिलों को छू लिया हैं, स्वयं उस नवयौवना के लिए भावुक होने का कोई स्थान नहीं है । जब उससे उसके लक्ष्य के बारे में सवाल पूछा जाता है तो उसकी सीधी नज़रे और वह जवाब जो वह देती है इस बात को बिल्कुल स्पष्ट कर देते हैं कि वह अपने बलिदानों को इसके योग्य मानती है ।

किशोरावस्था में सनसनी बन चुके बहुत से सितारों की भांति मारिया शरापोवा को फैशन, गाने तथा नृत्य का शौक है । वह आर्थर कोनन डॉयल के उपन्यास पढ़ना पसंद करती है । अति सुंदर और महंगे सायंकालीन गाऊनों के प्रति उसका शौक, चाकलेट वाले केकों तथा सुं- सुं करते संतरे के पेय पदार्थों के साथ मेल नहीं खाता है । शरापोवा को किसी एक वर्ग या श्रेणी से जोड़कर नहीं देखा जा सकता हैं उसकी योग्यता, सफल होने के लिए दृढ़ इच्छा और त्याग करने की तत्परता ने उसे दुनिया के शिखा पर बिठा दिया है । जो धन आज उसे प्राप्त हो रहा है, उसके लिए कोई भी आज उससे ईर्ष्या नहीं करेगा ।

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Reach for the Top Class 9 Notes English Chapter 8

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON

I. Santosh Yadav

This is a motivating message for us written by Santosh Yadav. She is the only woman in the world who has scaled Mt. Everest twice. She was born in a small village Joniyawas of Rewari District in Haryana. She was born in a society where the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing and the daughter was not generally welcome. But this girl was welcomed at her birth as she was the only daughter after five sons. She was named ‘Santosh’ which means contentment. Being born in a traditional society she was bound to follow a lot of traditions. But Santosh never accepted such customs and traditions. When her parents forced her to marry at a young age she left her home for further studies. She got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. After passing the high school she went to Jaipur. There she joined Maharani College and got a room in Kasturba Hostel that faced the Aravalli Hills. One day she met a mountaineers’ group there and got training in mountaineering. To become more skillful she went to Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

Now she started to join different expeditions and got her skills refined rapidly. She developed a remarkable resistance to cold, altitude, etc. She had iron will, physical endurance, and an amazing mental toughness. Her hard work brought her great achievement in 1992 when at the age of 20 she scaled Mt. Everest. She became the youngest woman in the world to achieve this feat. She also saved a man during this expedition by sharing her oxygen with him.

Later on, she joined the Indo-Japanese Women’s Expedition to scale Mt. Everest. As a fervent environmentalist, this time Santosh collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

II. Maria Sharapova

There is something at odds with the smiling and glamorous image of Maria Sharapova. And that something in her lifted her on Monday, 22 August 2005 to the world number one position in women’s tennis. Maria had a rapid ascent in a fiercely competitive world at the age of nine years. On her tenth birthday, she was sent to the United States. That trip to Florida with her father Yuri led her towards the path of great success and stardom. She came back to Siberia because of visa restrictions. Though Maria Sharapova speaks in an American accent, she proudly parades her Russian nationality.

Maria became more determined and mentally tough by getting the experiences from her senior players. This toughness runs through Maria even today. It was the key to her bagging the Women’s Singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and to a meteoric rise to the world number one spot the following year. Maria says, “I am very, very competitive. I work hard at what I do. It’s my job.” This is her mantra for success.

Like any number of teenage sensations, Maria lists fashion, singing, reading novels by Arthur Conan Doyle, dancing, wearing sophisticated evening gowns, eating chocolate pancakes, and drinking orange drinks as her hobbies. Her talent, unwavering desire to succeed, and readiness to sacrifice have lifted her to the top of the world. Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping.

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Reach for the Top Class 9 Short Summary & Explanation in English

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Table of Contents

Santosh Yadav

Introduction.

A village girl’s urge to do something had to collide with the stereotypes of a society. Who would win; the girl or the society? Read the whole summary to find out. 

An Unbreakable Will

Santosh Yadav, the woman who scaled Mt Everest twice, was born in a society where sons were preferred over daughters. She was born in Joniyawas, Haryana. A traveling holy man gave her his blessings. She had five brothers.

The literal meaning of Santosh’s name was contentment, but she was not entirely content with her place in society. She wanted to live her life in her way. Her parents were rich enough to send her to schools in New Delhi, but she had to study in the local village school. At the age of sixteen, most of the girls would get married in her village. She had been under constant pressure from her parents to get married.

The Bargain of her Life

After passing high school, she joined Maharani College and got a room in Kasturba Hostel. Her hostel had a view of the Aravalli Hills. She used to watch the villagers climb the hill. She had this urge to climb the mountain.

A Self-made Woman

The urge to climb.

She was a sought-after climber by fellow mountaineers and gave special care to a climber who had some problems. She saved Mohan Singh (a fellow climber) by sharing her oxygen cylinder. She scaled Mt Everest twice and was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian Government. She also collected and brought down 500 Kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Maria Sharapova

A child Prodigy, Maria had to stay away from her mother to train herself. Read the summary to find out her success mantra.

The Train to the United States

She was only nine when she was sent to a coaching institute in the United States. She also had to stay away from her mother for two years due to the latter’s visa restrictions. She missed her mom while being in the States. 

Dream over Money

Maria Sharapova was very determined. She knew that she had to endure such pain and misery to become a top star of her game. This determination led her to grab the Women’s Single Crown at Wimbledon in 2004. Her mantra for success is competitiveness and hard work.

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10. Explanation

• A school in village*: gg-foto / Shutterstock.com
• Maria Sharapova**: Jimmie48 Photography / Shutterstock.com
• Wimbledon tennis court***: Meaning March / Shutterstock.com
• Sharapova played for Russia****: Mirt Alexander / Shutterstock.com
• Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle*****: Plateresca / Shutterstock.com

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English . Here we have given CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top.

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Thinking about the Text (Page 102)

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)

Question 1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1) Answer: The ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings was surprised because her grandmother sought blessings for a daughter. In this society most of the people ask the seers to bless for a son.

Question 2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2) Answer: She used to wear shorts and not the traditional dresses meant for girls.

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Question 3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3) Answer: She was sent to the local school in line with the prevailing custom in the family.

Question 4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4) Answer: She left home for Delhi to get proper education. She was sixteen at that time.

Question 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) Answer: Her parents got ready because she informed them of her plans to earn money by working part time to pay her school fees.

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

Question 1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains? Answer: She wished to climb mountains when she watched villagers from her room, going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while. One day, she decided to check it out herself. She found nobody except a few mountaineers. Later she saved money and enrolled in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Then she began climb mountains every year.

Question 2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates? Answer: Santosh Yadav provided special care to a climber who lay dying at the south pole in 1992 Everest Mission. She saved Mohan Singh, who would have lost his life had she not shared her oxygen with him.

Question 3. What shows her concern for the environment? Answer: Santosh was really concerned for the environment. She collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Question 4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest? Answer: She said that it took some time for the enormity of the moment to sink in. She was delighted at this moment and proudly unfurled the Indian tricolour.

Question 5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt. Everest. What were the reasons for this? Answer: She is the youngest woman who scaled the Everest. She is the only woman who climbed the Everest twice.

III. Complete the following statements:

• From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to ………………
• When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because ………………
• During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her ……………… while ……………… endeared her to fellow climbers.
• … see the villagers going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while.
• … she was going directly for training and not home which she should have done.
• … climbing skills, physical fitness and mental strength while working 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.)

• took to be true without proof ………………………………
• based on reason; sensible; reasonable ………………………………
• the usual way of doing things (para 3): ………………………………
• a strong desire arising from within (5):
• the power to endure, without falling ill (7): …………………….
• resistance/endurance

Thinking about the text (Page 107)

Working in small groups of 4-5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Thinking about language (Page 107)

Look at the following sentences. They each have two clauses, or two parts each with their own subject and verb or verb phrase. Often, one part (italicised) tells us when or why something happened.

• I reached the market when most of the shops had closed. (Tells us when I reached.)
• When Rahul Dravid walked back towards the pavilion, everyone stood up. (Tells us when everyone stood up.)
• The telephone rang and Ganga picked it up. (Tells us what happened next.)
• Gunjan has been with us ever since the school began. (Tells us for how long he has been with us.)

I. Identify the two parts in the sentences below by underlining the part that gives us the information in brackets, as shown above.

Question 1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. (Contrasts her dress with that of others.) Answer: Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.

Question 2. She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. (Tells us what happened after the first action.) Answer: She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.

Question 3. She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived. (Tells us when she was going to fight the system?) Answer: She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived.

Question 4. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. (Tells us when Maria was sent to the US?) Answer: Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.

II. Now rewrite the pairs of sentences given below as one sentence.

Question 1. Grandfather told me about the old days. All books were printed on paper then. Answer: Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper.

Question 2. What do you do after you finish the book? Perhaps you just throw it away. Answer: Perhaps you just throw the book away after reading it.

Question 3. He gave the little girl an apple. He took the computer apart. Answer: After giving the little girl an apple, he took the computer apart.

Question 4. You have nothing. That makes you very determined. Answer: You have nothing which makes you very determined.

Question 5. I never thought of quitting. I knew what I wanted. Answer: I never thought of quitting as I knew what I wanted.

Dictation (Page 108)

Read the passage once. Then close your books. Your teacher will dictate the story to you. Write it down with the correct punctuation and paragraphing.

The Raincoat After four years of drought in a small town in the Northeast, the Vicar gathered everyone together for a pilgrimage to the mountain, where they would pray together and ask for the rain to return.

The priest noticed a boy in the group wearing a raincoat.

“Have you gone mad ?” he asked. “It hasn’t rained in this region for five years, the heat will kill you climbing the mountain.”

“I have a cold, father. If we are going to ask God for rain, can you imagine the way back from the mountain ? It’s going to be such a downpour that I need to be prepared.”

At that moment a great crash was heard in the sky and the first drops began to fall. A boy’s faith was enough to bring about a miracle that not even those most prepared truly believed in.

(translated by James Mulholland) Answer: Do it yourself.

Speaking (Page 108)

Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav, or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. Prepare a short speech to motivate the girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfil their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them. Thefollowing words and phrases may help you.

• Self confident/confidence/sure of yourself
• self assured/assurance/belief in yourself
• morale/boost morale/raise morale
• giving somebody a boost/fillip/lift
• demoralising/unsure of yourself/insecure/ lack confidence

Answer: Good Morning Everybody !

I am glad to see all the participants at this platform. Your life solely depends on the sincere efforts you are ready to make. Your indomitable faith in your potential, strong determination and hard work can help you in bringing laurels to your family, nation and yourself. One must not lose confidence while trying to achieve a challenging task. Those who devote themselves completely to their goals and are self-confident attain considerable success within a short span of time. Their achievements boost their morale and become a source of fascination to others. My advice to you is to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship and do miracles in whatever field you are.

Writing (Page 109)

Working in pairs, go through the table below that gives you information about the top women tennis players since 1975.

Write a short article for your school magazine comparing and contrasting the players in terms of their duration at the top. Mention some qualities that you think may be responsible for their brief or long stay at the top spot.

Top-Ranked Women Players

Question 1. The roll of honour of women who enjoyed life at the summit since everybody’s favourite player, Chris Evert, took her place in 1975.

Answer: The long list of the women who topped the tennis arena. Different women enjoyed life being at the top for different durations. For example, Staff! Graf of Germany enjoyed the topmost rank for the longest duration of 377 weeks. She was followed by Chris Evert of the US who enjoyed this rank for 362 weeks. Martina Navratilova of the US enjoyed it for 33 weeks. It was Martina Hingis of Switzerland who had it for 209 weeks. Monica Seles of the US also enjoyed it for 178 weeks. After that Serena William and Lindsay Davenport of the US also remained world number one for 57 and 82 weeks respectively. Maria Sharapova of Russia enjoyed this rank for 1 week. All these women worked day and night to achieve the pinnacle. They sharpened their playing skills with determination. They had physical fitness and mental strength to succeed. They had talent, mental toughness and readiness to sacrifice. These qualities played an important role in their world achievements.

The above answer is only a sample provided to the students. We suggest students to answer these questions using their own creativity.

Question 2. Which of these words would you use to describe Santosh Yadav? Find reasons in the text to support your choices, and write a couple of paragraphs describing Santosh’s character.

Answer: Santosh Yadav was determined, considerate, polite and hard working. She was a rebel who did not want to follow the traditional ways of living. She developed a remarkable resistance to cold and altitude that is required for mountaineering. She proved herself repeatedly because of her iron will, physical endurance and amazing mental toughness. She was a fervent environmentalist who brought 500 kgs of garbage from the Himalayas.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top help you. If you have any query regarding CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

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Santosh Yadav: Reaching for The Top | Class 9 English Glossary and Explanation

• Post category: NCERT Class 9 English

Class 9 English Lesson “Reaching for The Top ” Part 1 Santosh Yadav – In this educational post you would find para wise explanation and glossary of word meanings. Click here for other lessons of “Beehive” .

Para wise Explanation: Santosh Yadav

1. “Reaching for the Top” about Santosh Yadav. It is meant for grade 9 students so maintain language accordingly. The lesson spreads in different paras so maintain the same flow: 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 close 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 of Rewari District in Haryana.

• Mt Everest: The highest peak in the world, located in the Himalayan range, bordering Nepal and China.
• Blessing: A prayer asking for divine favor, protection, or guidance.
• Holy Man: A religious or spiritual figure believed to possess special powers or insights.
• Destiny: The predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control.
• Rewari District: A district in the Indian state of Haryana.
• Haryana: A state in northern India.
• Paras: Sections or paragraphs in a written text.

Explanation:

In a small village called Joniyawas in Rewari District, Haryana, a remarkable woman named Santosh Yadav was born. She achieved the extraordinary feat of scaling Mt Everest twice, a unique accomplishment that set her apart. However, her story begins in a society where the birth of a son was considered a blessing, while a daughter, though not seen as a curse, was not generally welcomed.

When Santosh’s mother was expecting her, a traveling ‘holy man’ visited and assumed that the family desired a son, providing his blessing accordingly. To everyone’s surprise, Santosh’s grandmother, standing nearby, corrected him, expressing that they did not want a son. This unexpected revelation left the holy man surprised, yet he still bestowed his blessing. As fate would have it, Santosh was born as the sixth child in a family of five sons, making her the only daughter among five brothers.

This opening paragraph sets the stage for Santosh Yadav’s unique background, born into a society with specific expectations based on gender, where she defied traditional norms from the very beginning. It foreshadows the challenges she may have faced in pursuing her dreams and introduces the concept of destiny playing a role in her extraordinary journey. The subsequent paragraphs of the lesson likely delve into Santosh’s upbringing, her early experiences, and the eventual path that led her to conquer Mt Everest twice.

2. 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 other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. Looking back, she says now, “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.”

• Contentment: A state of happiness and satisfaction with one’s circumstances.
• Prescribed Roles: Roles or expectations assigned by society based on traditional norms or customs.
• Propensity: An inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.
• Defiance: Open resistance or bold disobedience to authority or societal norms.
• Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or challenges.
• Stereotypes: Widely held but oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group of people.
• Forge: To create or develop something with effort, skill, or persistence.
• Foreshadow: To give a warning or indication of a future event.
• Independence: The state of being free from control or influence of others; self-reliance.
• Perspective: A particular way of viewing or considering a situation.

Exolanation:

Santosh Yadav, named after the concept of contentment, demonstrated a spirit that didn’t conform to traditional expectations. Despite the meaning of her name, Santosh was not always content with the prescribed roles for girls in her society. Early on, she showed a propensity for living life on her own terms. While other girls adhered to traditional Indian dresses, Santosh stood out by preferring shorts. Reflecting on her choices, she articulates her determination, stating, “From the very beginning, I was quite determined that if I chose a correct and rational path, the others around me had to change, not me.”

This paragraph highlights Santosh’s early defiance of societal norms, symbolized by her choice of clothing. Her conviction and determination to forge her own path foreshadow the resilience and independence that likely played a role in her later achievements. The narrative suggests that Santosh’s journey was not just about physical challenges but also about breaking stereotypes and paving the way for a different perspective on what women can achieve. The next sections of the lesson may delve deeper into Santosh’s formative years and the challenges she faced in pursuing a non-traditional path.

3. Santosh’s parents were affluent landowners who could afford to send their children to the best schools, even to the country’s capital, New 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.

• Affluent: Having a plentiful supply of resources, often referring to wealth.
• Prevailing Custom: The traditional practice or behaviour that is widely accepted or followed in a particular society or community.
• Make Do: To manage or cope with a situation using whatever resources are available.
• Fight the System: To resist or challenge established rules, norms, or practices.
• Harboured: To secretly hold or keep a feeling, thought, or belief.
• Opportune Moment: A favourable or advantageous time or occasion.
• Conform: To comply with established customs, rules, or standards.
• Societal Norm: The shared expectations or rules that guide behaviour within a society.
• Defiance: Open resistance or bold disobedience to authority or established norms.
• Navigated: To find a way through or around a challenging situation.

Santosh Yadav’s family background is revealed in this segment. Her parents were affluent landowners, capable of providing their children with the best education, even sending them to prestigious schools in the country’s capital, New Delhi, which was in close proximity. However, Santosh’s educational journey took a different turn due to the prevailing custom in her family.

Contrary to the opportunities available to her siblings, Santosh attended the local village school. Undeterred by this limitation, she harboured a quiet determination to challenge the system when the opportune moment presented itself. This moment arrived when she turned sixteen, an age at which most girls in her village typically entered into marriage. Santosh found herself facing parental pressure to conform to this societal norm.

This paragraph introduces the theme of societal expectations and the challenges Santosh confronted within her own family. The contrast between the educational privileges of her siblings and her own restricted access sets the stage for her upcoming struggle against traditional gender roles and expectations. The narrative implies that Santosh’s decision to resist conformity was not just a personal choice but a significant defiance against established norms. The subsequent sections may explore how she navigated these challenges and made choices that paved the way for her future endeavours.

4. 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 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. Her parents then agreed to pay for her education.

• Resolute: Admirably determined; unwavering in purpose or commitment.
• Ultimatum: A final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which could lead to a breakdown in relations.
• Reluctance: Unwillingness or hesitation to do something.
• Assertive: Confident and forceful in stating one’s opinions or desires.
• Enrolled: Officially registered or joined in a course of study or training.
• Part-time: Involving or requiring only a limited number of hours of work per week.
• Unwavering: Steadfast; not changing or becoming weaker.
• Prevailing Expectations: Widely accepted or anticipated norms or beliefs in a particular society.
• Consequences: The results or effects of a particular action or situation.

At the age of sixteen, facing societal pressure for early marriage, Santosh Yadav was resolute in her pursuit of education. Marriage, at that point, was the last thing on her mind. In an act of defiance against the prevailing expectations for girls in her village, she issued a firm ultimatum to her parents – she would not marry unless provided with a proper education.

Undeterred by the potential consequences, Santosh took matters into her own hands. She left her home and took the bold step of enrolling herself in a school in Delhi, the country’s capital. Despite her parents’ initial reluctance to fund her education, she remained determined. Santosh, in a polite yet assertive manner, informed her parents of her intention to earn money through part-time work to cover her school fees.

This paragraph highlights Santosh’s resilience and her commitment to breaking away from societal norms. Her insistence on education as a priority over early marriage showcases her unwavering determination. The narrative suggests that Santosh’s journey involved not only physical challenges but also a significant struggle against the expectations imposed on her as a young woman in her community. The subsequent parts of the lesson may elaborate on her experiences in Delhi, the challenges she faced, and how she managed to overcome them to pave the way for her future achievements.

5. Wishing always to study “a bit more” and with her father slowly getting used to her urge for more education, Santosh passed the high school examinations and went to Jaipur. She joined Maharani College and got a room in Kasturba Hostel. Santosh remembers, “Kasturba Hostel faced the Aravalli Hills. 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. I asked if I could join them. To my pleasant surprise, they answered in the affirmative and motivated me to take to climbing.”

• Urge: A strong desire or impulse.
• High School Examinations: Standardized tests typically taken at the completion of secondary education.
• Jaipur: A city in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
• Maharani College: A college in Jaipur, named after the title of the queen in India.
• Kasturba Hostel: A hostel named after Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mahatma Gandhi, providing accommodation for students.
• Aravalli Hills: A range of mountains in western India, running across the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.
• Mountaineers: Individuals who engage in the sport or activity of climbing mountains.
• Affirmative: Agreeing or consenting to a request or proposal.
• Motivated: Encouraged or inspired to take action.

In this part of the lesson, Santosh’s educational journey continues as she pursues higher studies. The glossary provides clarification for terms used in the text:

Santosh’s persistent “urge” for education led her to pass high school examinations. Subsequently, she moved to Jaipur, a city in Rajasthan, and enrolled in Maharani College. To accommodate her stay, she secured a room in Kasturba Hostel, named after Kasturba Gandhi.

As Santosh settled into her new surroundings, her room at Kasturba Hostel provided a vantage point overlooking the Aravalli Hills. The narrative hints at Santosh’s curiosity and adventurous spirit as she observed villagers and mountaineers navigating the hills. The term “mountaineers” refers to individuals engaged in the sport or activity of climbing mountains.

Santosh’s decision to explore mountain climbing reflects her open-mindedness and willingness to embrace new challenges. The mountaineers’ affirmative response and motivation marked a pivotal moment that likely played a significant role in shaping Santosh’s future endeavours. The lesson may delve further into her experiences in mountain climbing and how this passion evolved into her remarkable achievements.

6. 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 nineteenth of May. And I was supposed to be in Uttarkashi on the twenty-first. 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.”

• No Looking Back: A phrase indicating a commitment to moving forward without hesitation or regret.
• Determined: Having a firm purpose or showing strong resolve.
• Uttarkashi: A town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
• Nehru Institute of Mountaineering: An institute focused on training individuals in mountaineering skills, located in Uttarkashi.
• Semester: A period of study, typically half of an academic year.
• Letter of Apology: A written expression of regret and remorse for a mistake or wrongdoing.

In this segment of the lesson, Santosh’s determination to pursue mountaineering takes a more structured form. The glossary provides clarification for terms used in the text:

The phrase “No Looking Back” emphasizes Santosh’s unwavering commitment to her chosen path. Undeterred by challenges, she saved money and took the crucial step of enrolling in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

Santosh’s bold decision to prioritize her passion over returning home after the college semester reflects her resolute nature. The term “letter of apology” indicates that Santosh took responsibility for her independent decision to enroll in Uttarkashi without her father’s permission. This underlines the conflict between societal expectations and her pursuit of a non-traditional path.

The lesson unfolds as Santosh’s journey into mountaineering gains momentum. The next sections may delve into her experiences at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, the challenges she faced, and how this phase shaped her into the accomplished mountaineer she became.

7. Thereafter, Santosh went on an expedition every year. Her climbing skills matured rapidly. Also, she developed a remarkable resistance to cold and the 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 scaled 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.

• Expedition: A journey or voyage undertaken for a specific purpose, often exploratory or scientific.
• Matured Rapidly: Developed and improved quickly.
• Resistance: The ability to withstand or oppose something, in this context, cold and altitude.
• Iron Will: A strong determination or willpower.
• Physical Endurance: The ability to sustain physical exertion over an extended period.
• Mental Toughness: Resilience and strength of character in the face of challenges.
• Culmination: The highest point or climax of an event or process.
• Hard Work: Diligent and focused effort over an extended period.
• Sincerity: The quality of being honest, genuine, and free from deceit.
• Shyly: In a manner indicating timidity or reluctance.

This segment of the lesson highlights the remarkable progress and achievements of Santosh Yadav in her mountaineering pursuits. The glossary provides clarification for terms used in the text:

Santosh’s dedication to mountaineering is evident as she embarks on an “expedition” every year, contributing to the rapid maturation of her climbing skills. The mention of her developing “resistance to cold and altitude” underscores the physical challenges she successfully overcame.

The description of Santosh as being “equipped with an iron will, physical endurance, and amazing mental toughness” speaks to the qualities that propelled her to success. Her repeated achievements culminated in 1992 when, at the age of barely twenty, she scaled Mt Everest, becoming the youngest woman in the world to achieve this feat. The terms “iron will,” “physical endurance,” and “mental toughness” emphasize the personal attributes that played a crucial role in her accomplishments.

The narrative suggests that Santosh’s achievements not only impressed her seniors but also endeared her to fellow climbers due to her “concern for others and desire to work together with them.” This portrayal hints at her collaborative spirit and compassion, setting her apart in the hearts of her peers.

The lesson unfolds Santosh Yadav’s inspiring journey from a determined young girl defying societal expectations to becoming a trailblazing mountaineer with a unique blend of skills and qualities. The subsequent sections may explore further details about her expeditions, challenges faced, and the impact of her achievements on the mountaineering community.

8. 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. However, she managed to save another climber, Mohan Singh, who would have met with the same fate had she not shared her oxygen with him.

• South Col: A high-altitude pass on Mount Everest, often used as a camp during climbing expeditions.
• Fate: The development of events beyond a person’s control, seen as determined by a supernatural power.

In this segment, the lesson delves into a specific event during the 1992 Everest mission involving Santosh Yadav. The glossary provides clarification for terms used in the text:

During the mission, Santosh displayed exceptional compassion and bravery. The “South Col” refers to a challenging high-altitude pass on Mount Everest, often a perilous location during climbing expeditions.

Santosh’s attempt to provide “special care to a climber who lay dying” indicates her humanitarian efforts in a critical situation. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, she was “unsuccessful in saving him,” highlighting the harsh realities and dangers of mountaineering.

However, the narrative takes a positive turn as Santosh successfully intervened to save another climber, Mohan Singh. The mention of “sharing her oxygen with him” underscores the life-saving impact of her actions. This event showcases not only Santosh’s technical expertise but also her willingness to assist and support her fellow climbers in life-threatening situations.

This section of the lesson provides a glimpse into the challenges and complexities of high-altitude mountaineering, emphasizing Santosh Yadav’s courage and selflessness in the face of adversity. The subsequent sections may further explore the impact of such experiences on Santosh and her continued contributions to the world of mountaineering.

9. 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, thus setting a record as the only woman to have scaled the Everest twice, and securing for herself and India a unique place in the annals of mountaineering. In recognition of her achievements, the Indian government bestowed upon her one of the nation’s top honours, the Padmashri.

• Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition: An expedition involving women from both India and Nepal.
• Annals: Historical records or chronicles.
• Mountaineering: The sport or activity of climbing mountains.
• Recognition: Acknowledgment or appreciation of one’s achievements or contributions.
• Bestowed: Conferred or presented, often with a sense of honor.
• Padmashri: One of the highest civilian honors in India, awarded for distinguished service in various fields.

In this segment, the lesson continues to highlight Santosh Yadav’s remarkable achievements. The glossary provides clarification for terms used in the text:

Santosh’s inclusion in an “Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition” signifies her growing recognition and collaboration with climbers from both India and Nepal. The term “scaled” refers to the act of successfully reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

Santosh’s second ascent of Everest within twelve months sets a significant record, making her the “only woman to have scaled the Everest twice.” This accomplishment not only reflects her personal skill and determination but also secures a notable place for both herself and India in the “annals of mountaineering,” emphasizing the historical significance of her feat.

In recognition of her exceptional achievements, the Indian government honored Santosh Yadav with one of the nation’s top honors, the “Padmashri.” This award is a prestigious civilian honor in India, given for distinguished service in various fields.

This section underscores Santosh Yadav’s continued success and the recognition she received for her contributions to the field of mountaineering. The subsequent parts of the lesson may explore the impact of these achievements on her life, her role as a trailblazer for women in mountaineering, and her ongoing influence in the realm of adventure sports.

10. Describing her feelings when she was literally ‘on top of the world’, Santosh has said, “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. The Indian flag was flying on top of the world. It was truly a spiritual moment. I felt proud as an Indian.” Also a fervent environmentalist, Santosh collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

• Literally: In a literal or exact sense.
• On Top of the World: An expression conveying a sense of extreme happiness or success.
• Enormity: The great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something.
• Unfurled: To unfold or open, often referring to a flag or banner.
• Tricolour: A flag with three different colors, often referring to the national flag of India.
• Aloft: Raised or lifted up.
• Spiritual Moment: A moment characterized by a profound sense of connection, meaning, or significance.
• Fervent: Having or displaying a passionate intensity.
• Environmentalism: Advocacy for the protection and preservation of the natural environment.
• Garbage: Waste material, often including items that are no longer useful.

In this section, Santosh Yadav’s personal experience and environmental commitment are highlighted. The glossary provides clarification for terms used in the text:

When Santosh reached the summit of Mount Everest, she described her emotions as being “literally ‘on top of the world’,” emphasizing the overwhelming sense of success and achievement. The term “enormity” underscores the magnitude of the moment.

Her act of “unfurling the Indian tricolour and holding it aloft on the roof of the world” symbolizes her national pride and achievement. The expression “spiritual moment” reflects the deep and meaningful connection she felt, especially as an Indian. This moment goes beyond the physical accomplishment and becomes a symbolic representation of national pride and achievement.

The text also mentions Santosh’s commitment to environmental conservation. As an “environmentalist,” she took action by collecting and bringing down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This showcases her dedication to preserving the natural environment, especially in the context of the impact of mountaineering activities on the fragile ecosystems of high-altitude regions.

This section provides insight into Santosh Yadav’s personal reflections at the summit of Everest and her dual commitment to national pride and environmental responsibility. The following sections may further explore her post-Everest endeavors and her continued contributions to both mountaineering and environmental causes.

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Character Sketch of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova | Reach for the Top

by Meenu Saini | Jul 17, 2023 | General | 0 comments

Character Sketch of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova from Class 9 English Beehive Book Chapter 8 Reach for the Top

• Reach for the Top Part 1 Question Answers
• Reach for the Top Part 1 Summary, Explanation, Word meanings
• Reach for the Top Part 2 Question Answers
• Reach for the Top Part 2 Summary, Explanation, Word meanings
• Reach for the Top MCQs

Reach for the Top Part 1 Santosh Yadav

Character sketch of santosh yadav.

Santosh Yadav was born in a small village of Haryana. She was a determined, considerate, polite and hardworking girl. Even in her childhood, she loved to live in her own way. When she was sixteen, her parents wanted to have her married. But Santosh firmly refused to marry. She was a rebel who did not want to follow the traditional ways of living. She decided to become a mountaineer in her life. She developed a remarkable resistance to cold climate and high altitude that is required for mountaineering. She was the first woman, in the world to scale the Mountain peak twice in the same calendar year. She proved herself repeatedly because of her iron will, physical endurance and amazing mental toughness. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork and expresses concern for the welfare of her fellow climbers. She was a fervent environmentalist who brought 500 kgs of garbage from the Himalayas. She was awarded with the Padmashri for her achievements. She is now an officer in Indo-Tibetan Border police force.

Reach for the Top Part 1 Overview – The article is about Santosh Yadav, the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice. Her story is inspiring. Despite being born in a skewed society that did not welcome the birth of a girl child, where girls were married off at sixteen, she made her own path, followed her desires, and achieved world fame.

Some Questions on Character Sketch of Santosh Yadav

Q1 What qualities make Santosh Yadav an inspiring figure? Q2 How does Santosh Yadav challenge gender stereotypes? Q3 How does Santosh Yadav’s journey reflect her determination? Q4 What role does Santosh Yadav play in the success of her team? Q5 How does Santosh Yadav’s story inspire others, particularly women?

Reach for the Top Part 2 Maria Sharapova

Character sketch maria sharapova.

Maria Sharapova is a renowned professional tennis player who has achieved great success in her career. She was born on April 19, 1987, in Russia and started playing tennis at a young age. She was taken to the United States by her father to enable her reach her chosen goal. Separation from her mother was not so easy for the little girl. She lived all alone in the unknown country for the sake of her passion and love for the sport. She had to overcome a lot of difficulties and make many sacrifices during her goal, which she did, without losing her self-confidence. Sharapova gained international recognition when she won her first Grand Slam title at the age of 17, defeating Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. Throughout her career, Sharapova has been recognized for her sportsmanship and her ability to handle pressure. She has become an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players, particularly young women, for her success and her determination to reach the top of her sport.

Reach for the Top Part 2 Overview: A Russian girl, Maria Sharapova, reached the summit of women’s tennis when she was barely eighteen. Maria Sharapova’s story of success as she became the top-seeded woman tennis player in the world motivates us. She overcame all the hurdles and bore humiliation too in order to achieve her dream. Maria’s hunger for success and her competitive spirit kept her going.

Some Questions on Character Sketch of Maria Sharapova

Q1. What is the comparison between Maria Sharapova and Santosh Yadav? Q2. What has lifted Maria Sharapova to the top of the world? Q3. What lesson did Sharapova learn at the age of 9? Q4. What is something disarming about Maria Sharapova? Q5. What motivates Maria to keep moving ahead?

Class 9 English Beehive Book Character Sketch

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Question 1:

Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)

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

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

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

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

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)

1. The ‘holy man’ had assumed that Santosh’s mother wanted a son as the part of the society she belonged to regarded birth of a son as a blessing. However, he was surprised when the unborn child’s grandmother told him that they did not want a son.

2. Santosh, from the very beginning, lived life on her own terms. She was not content with the traditional way of life and was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. One example which proves this is that Santosh, unlike other girls who wore traditional Indian dresses, preferred wearing shorts.

3. Even though Santosh’s parents could afford to send their children to the best schools, she was sent to the local village school due to the prevailing custom in the family.

4. When she turned sixteen and was under pressure to get married, Santosh threatened her parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education. Therefore, she left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.

5. When Santosh informed her parents about her plan to do a part time job to support her education, they agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi.

This incident shows that Santosh was a strong headed and determined girl who knew her way towards her goal. .

Page No 103:

Question 2:.

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

1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?

3. What shows her concern for the environment?

4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

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

1. In order to investigate as to how the villagers going up the Aravali hills “vanished after a while”, Santosh accompanied a few mountaineers in their climbing expedition. This was how she began to climb mountains.

2. During the Everest mission, Santosh showed immense concern for her fellow climbers. Though she was unsuccessful in saving the life of one of them, she did manage to save another climber through artificial respiration.

3. Santosh was a fervent environmentalist. Her concern for the environment is evident from the fact that she collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

4. Santosh asserted that her feeling at the summit of the Everest was “indescribable”. Unfurling the Indian flag on the top of the world was a spiritual moment for her and she felt proud as an Indian.

5. When Santosh Yadav first scaled Mt Everest, she became the youngest woman in the world to achieve the feat. When she scaled the Everest the second time, she became the only woman to have scaled it twice.

Question 3:

Complete the following statements.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to _________

2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because _________

3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her _________ while _________endeared her to fellow climbers.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch villagers going up the hill and suddenly vanish after a while.

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

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

Question 4:

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): _________

2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): _________

3. the usual way of doing things (3): _________

4. a strong desire arising from within (5): _________

5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7): _________

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): Resistance

Page No 104:

A Russian girl, Maria Sharapova, reached the summit of women’s tennis when she was barely eighteen. As you read about her, see if you can draw a comparison between her and Santosh Yadav.

1. Match the following.

2. As you read, look for the answers to these questions.

– Why was Maria sent to the United States?

– Why didn’t her mother go with her?

– What are her hobbies? What does she like?

– What motivates her to keep going?

Maria was sent to the United States for her tennis training.

Her mother could not go with her because of visa restrictions.

Her hobbies are fashion, singing and dancing. She likes reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. She has a fondness for sophisticated evening gowns, pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.

Apart from money, the motivation to become number one in the world keeps her going.

Page No 107:

Working in small groups of 4−5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Look at the following sentences. They each have two clauses, or two parts each with their own subject and verb or verb phrase. Often, one part (italicised) tells us when or why something happened.

• I reached the market when most of the shops had closed. (Tells us when I reached. )

• When Rahul Dravid walked back towards the pavilion, everyone stood up. (Tells us when everyone stood up .)

• The telephone rang and Ganga picked it up . (Tells us what happened next. )

• Gunjan has been with us ever since the school began. (Tells us for how long he has been with us. )

I. Identify the two parts in the sentences below by underlining the part that gives us the information in brackets.

1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.

(Contrasts her dress with that of others)

2. She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. (Tells us what happened after the first action.)

3. She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived. (Tells us when she was going to fight the system.)

4. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. (Tells us when Maria was sent to the U.S.)

1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses , Santosh preferred shorts.

2. She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi .

3. She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived .

4. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.

Page No 108:

Now rewrite the pairs of sentences given below as one sentence.

1. Grandfather told me about the old days. All books were printed on paper then.

2. What do you do after you finish the book? Perhaps you just throw it away.

3. He gave the little girl an apple. He took the computer apart.

4. You have nothing. That makes you very determined.

5. I never thought of quitting. I knew what I wanted.

1. Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper.

2. After finishing the book, perhaps you just throw it away.

3. He gave the little girl an apple and took the computer apart.

4. Having nothing makes you very determined.

5. I never thought of quitting as I knew what I wanted.

Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav, or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. Prepare a short speech to motivate the girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfil their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them. The following words and phrases may help you.

• self confident/confidence/sure of yourself

• self assured/assurance/belief in yourself

• morale/boost morale/raise morale

• giving somebody a boost/fillip/lift

• demoralising/unsure of yourself/insecure/lack confidence

'Turn Difficulties into Opportunities'- My Success Mantra

A warm good morning to all of you. It is an honour to be invited as a chief guest at the All India Girls’ Athletic Meet. Looking at the bright and enthusiastic faces of all of the talented girls present here makes me nostalgic. At one point of time, I too used to be sitting in athletic meets like this. My journey from there to here was not devoid of pot holes, but there were fillips that let me going.

Girls, remember that though there may be factors that will try to pull you back in this male chauvinistic world, your confidence will let you sail. Never let such defeats or difficulties demoralise or depress you. Be focussed, practice hard and believe in yourself. You will experience a gradual but permanent boost in your confidence. Moreover, make your womanhood your strongest point. Woman, not only emotionally but physically too, can be stronger than men.

But until and unless you wake up and act, dreams hold no importance. So, dream big to boost your morale and make efforts to fulfil those dreams.

(The above answer is only a sample provided for the student's help. We recommend that students answer such questions using their own creativity and understanding.)

Page No 109:

Working in pairs, go through the table below that gives you information about the top women tennis players since 1975. Write a short article for your school magazine comparing and contrasting the players in terms of their duration at the top. Mention some qualities that you think may be responsible for their brief or long stay at the top spot.

Top-Ranked Women Players

I. The roll of honour of women who enjoyed life at the summit since everybody’s favourite player, Chris Evert, took her place in 1975.

Top Women Players Over The Years

Women's tennis has seen many legends since Chris Evert of the U.S., who bagged the top position in 1975 and maintained it for 362 weeks. From 1978-97, Martina Navratilova (U.S.), Steffi Graf (Germany), Monica Seles (U.S.) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland) were some other mentally tough and determined girls who retained their top ranks for 331, 377, 178 and 209 weeks respectively. The confidence they had in their capabilities and the urge to excel in life helped them to lead in their career.

Sharing these traits of personality were women like Tracy Austin (U.S.), Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Lindsay Davenport (U.S.), Jennifer Capriati (U.S.), Venus Williams (U.S.), Serena Williams (U.S.), Kim Clijsters (Belgium), Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium), Amelie Mauresmo (France), Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) and Maria Sharapova (Russia), who topped the women's tennis from the year 1980 to 2005.

Though the period for which these players retained their positions were not equivalent to the likes of Chris Evert or Steffi Graf, yet they too have showcased their competitiveness in a sport like tennis.

Which of these words would you use to describe Santosh Yadav? Find reasons in the text to support your choices, and write a couple of paragraphs describing Santosh’s character.

A rebel since childhood, Santosh Yadav fought the system and lived life on her own terms. She was a polite girl, who had a thirst to study “a bit more”. Her attitude and assertiveness towards life and education, made her parents to relent.

She was an independent, hard working and adventure-loving mountaineer. Though her path to success was turbulent, her determination and belief in her self was quiet evident. She impressed her seniors with her mental and physical toughness; and her concern and desire to work together with her fellow climbers found her a special place in their hearts. Her involvement and fervour in environmental issues made her bring down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

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