REACH FOR THE TOP

Central Theme:

The narrative revolves around Santosh Yadav, a determined woman who defied societal
norms to pursue her dreams and became the youngest woman to scale Mt. Everest.

Timeline:

- Born in Joniyawas, Rewari District, Haryana.

- Santosh was the sixth child in a family with five sons, making her the only daughter
among her siblings.
- Initially faced restrictions on education due to societal norms.
- At sixteen, she challenged the traditional practice of early marriage for girls.
- Left home to pursue education in Delhi and later attended Maharani College in Jaipur.
- Discovered her passion for mountaineering by joining mountaineers in the Aravalli
Hills.
- Enrolled in the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi without parental
permission.
- Climbed Mt. Everest in 1992 at the age of twenty, becoming the youngest woman to
achieve this feat.
- Provided aid to fellow climbers during her Everest expedition, showcasing her
strength and concern for others.
- Joined the Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition and scaled Everest a second time,
setting a unique record.
- Received the Padma Shri, one of India’s top honours, for her achievements.

Key Points:

- Santosh Yadav's determination and resilience against societal norms.

- Her pursuit of education against family pressures.
- Passion for mountaineering and achieving extraordinary feats.
- Humanitarian efforts during expeditions, aiding fellow climbers.
- Contribution to environmental conservation by clearing tons of garbage from the
Himalayas.

PART II

Central Theme:

Maria Sharapova's rapid rise in the world of tennis through determination, sacrifices, and
unwavering focus on her goals.

Timeline:
 - Born in Siberia, Maria Sharapova achieved the world number one position in
women’s tennis on 22nd August 2005.
- At the age of nine, she moved to the United States to pursue tennis training, facing a
two-year separation from her mother due to visa restrictions.
- Sharapova learned the value of sacrifice and determination early in her life to excel in
tennis.
- Her disciplined lifestyle, resilience, and mental toughness helped her climb the ladder
of success in tennis.
- Sharapova won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon in 2004 and became the world
number one in the following year.
- Despite her achievements, she maintains a competitive attitude and focuses on her
career without sentimentalism.

Key Points:

- Maria Sharapova's early sacrifices and lonely journey in pursuing tennis excellence.
- Her unwavering determination and mental strength despite challenges and sacrifices.
- The role of sacrifices, resilience, and competitive attitude in achieving success in
tennis.
- Sharapova's pride in her Russian nationality despite her American influence.
- Her love for various hobbies like fashion, singing, dancing, and reading novels.
- The chapter emphasises the theme of hard work, sacrifices, and determination leading
to success in sports.