🌟 Reach for the Top –

📌 Summary in Points

Part I – Santosh Yadav

🔹 Born in a traditional society in Rewari, Haryana, Santosh was determined to live life on her own terms.
🔹 She opposed early marriage, insisted on higher education, and shifted to Delhi for studies.
🔹 Passionate about mountaineering, she joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.
🔹 At just 20 years old, she scaled Mount Everest.
🔹 She became the only woman to climb Mt. Everest twice, showing immense courage and determination.
🔹 She lived a simple life, often saving money for her expeditions.
🔹 Known for her helping nature, she once saved a climber’s life during an expedition.
🔹 Her achievements brought honour to India and proved women can achieve anything with willpower.

Part II – Maria Sharapova

🔹 Maria Sharapova, a Russian tennis player, became World No. 1 in women’s tennis.
🔹 Left home at the age of nine for training in the USA, facing loneliness and hardships.
🔹 Her mother could not accompany her due to visa issues; her father struggled to support her.
🔹 Faced bullying and ridicule but remained determined and focused on her goal.
🔹 Her sacrifice, grit, and hard work helped her succeed in a short span.
🔹 Despite success, she remains humble, values her Russian identity, and respects sacrifice.
🔹 Believes in hard work and perseverance as keys to success.
🔹 Her story inspires youth worldwide to never give up on their dreams.

📝 NCERT Solutions

🔹 Part I – Santosh Yadav

Q1. Why was Santosh sent to the local school?
👉 Santosh was sent to the local school in her village because her parents followed the tradition of sending children there. They believed in conventional rules rather than modern education at that stage.

Q2. Why did Santosh’s parents decide to get her married?
👉 In her community, girls were married at a young age. Santosh’s parents tried to follow this custom, but she opposed it strongly and expressed her wish to continue her education.

Q3. Why did Santosh refuse to marry early?
👉 Santosh refused because she valued education over social customs. She had a strong will and decided to create her own destiny instead of following outdated traditions like child marriage.

Q4. How did Santosh manage her education in Delhi despite parental opposition?
👉 Santosh left home, enrolled herself in Delhi school, and later persuaded her parents by showing her determination. She lived simply and managed expenses by saving every possible rupee.

Q5. How did Santosh begin her mountaineering career?
👉 She watched climbers near her hostel in Aravalli hills and joined them out of curiosity. Later, she enrolled in the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, which began her mountaineering journey.

Q6. What shows Santosh’s concern for others during her expeditions?
👉 She displayed humanity by saving a climber’s life during an Everest expedition. Her courage, generosity, and ability to think beyond personal achievement proved her selflessness.

Q7. What record did Santosh create?
👉 Santosh became the only woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice. Her success made India proud and inspired countless young women to break social barriers.

🔹 Part II – Maria Sharapova

Q1. Where did Maria Sharapova go for training, and at what age?
👉 Maria Sharapova went to the United States at the age of nine to receive tennis training. She left her home in Russia, showing great courage and sacrifice at a young age.

Q2. Why could Maria’s mother not accompany her to the USA?
👉 Maria’s mother could not join her due to visa restrictions. Maria had to live away from her mother for years, which made her childhood difficult but strengthened her determination.

Q3. What hardships did Maria face in the USA?
👉 She faced bullying, loneliness, and cultural differences. Often mocked by older players, she lived without her mother. Yet she accepted it as the price of success and remained focused.

Q4. What shows Maria Sharapova’s mental toughness?
👉 Despite suffering loneliness and ridicule, Maria trained hard, never complained, and focused on her goal. Her sacrifices and persistence made her reach the top in women’s tennis.

Q5. How did Maria view sacrifices made for success?
👉 Maria believed sacrifices were necessary for achieving great goals. She accepted pain and hardships calmly, considering them stepping stones to success rather than obstacles.

Q6. What qualities helped Maria become World No. 1?
👉 Her dedication, discipline, mental strength, and hard work pushed her to the top. She never lost focus and kept practising tirelessly until she achieved her dream of becoming World No. 1.

Q7. What shows that Maria is proud of her nationality?
👉 Despite living abroad, Maria proudly calls herself Russian. She values her roots deeply and considers representing her nation as her biggest honour, showing her love for her homeland.