Santosh Yadav is the only woman in the world to have conquered Mount Everest twice. Born in a small village in Haryana, she was the sixth child in a family with five sons. Though her name ‘Santosh’ stood for contentment but she was never satisfied with her place in a traditional way of life.
She studied in her village school up to the age of sixteen. Her parents wanted her to get married at that age that age but she firmly declined the proposal. She left her house and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. She decided to meet her educational expenses by working herself. But later on, her parents agreed to bear the expenses.
She went to Jaipur for higher educational where she decided to try her luck at mountaineering. She joined a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. There was no looking back after that. Equipped with iron will, physical endurance and an amazing mental toughness, she proved herself and conquered Mount Everest at the age of twenty. Within twelve months, she conquered it the second time.
In recognition of her achievements, one of the top honours, the Padmashree, was bestowed upon her by the Government of India.
Part II
Maria Sharapova reached the top position of women’s tennis on August 22, 2005 at the age of eighteen. She was poor. She was born in Siberia, Russia. Her father sent her to the United Sates for training at the age of nine. She had to stay alone as her mother could not accompany her due to visa problems. Separation from her mother was a great sacrifice for a nine-year-old girl. But she was determined to achieve her goal at any coast.
She had to follow a strict schedule. She used to go to bed at 8 p.m. but the other senior players used to wake her up at 11 p.m. and order her to clean the room. It made her more determined and stronger. She knew what she wanted. It was her strong determination and hard work that put her on the top of the world.
Maria spent her prime time in the U.S.A. but she is proud of being a Russian. She is a teenage sensation. She takes interest in fashion, singing and dancing. She loves reading novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. Becoming number one in the world is the dream that keeps her going on.