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Sai International School,

Class IX (2020-21)
Module No.22

Chapter-22 Reach for the Top I

Introduction

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 which 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.

It is an inspirational account of the phenomenal success and
achievement of an Indian woman mountaineer, who beats all
odds and prejudices to script a success story, thanks to her
sterling qualities of perseverance, patience, commitment,
persistent and constancy of purpose.

Theme

Reach for the Top is based on the theme that success comes to those who dare and do. This
theme runs throughout the account of Santosh Yadav‟s education, training and success as a
woman mountaineer in a country where discrimination against women is rampant. Santosh defied
all odds, customs, traditions and prejudices to script her phenomenal success through hard work,
persistent effort, focus on the goal and mental and physical toughness. Santosh had really
reached the highest top that a woman mountaineer can reach, not just once but twice. She is a
wonderful role- model to emulate.

Justification of Title

The title Reach for the top is an appropriate title for the biographical feature of Santosh Yadav,
both literally and metaphorically. The „top‟ here not only means the mountain top,especially of Mt.
Everest but also the pinnacle of glory. Santosh reached both the tops with Elan, thanks to her
sterling qualities of mind and body, and thanks also to the training and support she received.

„Reach for the Top‟ as an imperative phrase gives a call to the readers to do their best and strive
to achieve glory in their area of interest through hard work, persistent efforts, the constancy of
purpose, strong will and meticulous planning.

Message

“Reach for the top” conveys the message that one must stet one‟s eye‟s on the star‟s and strive
hard to achieve the goals through hard work, determination, constant and persistent efforts.
Instead of complaining against the ills in society, one must dare to change the system and shape
one‟s own destiny. And once one has achieved great heights, one must shoulder the
responsibility to achieve success and glory in their own areas of interest just like Santosh Yadav
has done.