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Attitude decides your Altitude !

Look at you, girl!
Horrific past,
Terrific future.

Look at you, girl!
From the dreary railway tracks,
To the peak with snowy cracks.

Look at you, girl!
Indomitable spirit,
Unbeatable grit.

Look at you, girl!
Rough and tough path to Everest,
you conquered with your zeal and zest.


Look at you, girl!
Passing all obstacles and hurdles,
Winning new awards and medals. 

Look at you, girl!
Earlier, thrown into darkness,
Now surrounded by relatives and press.


Look at you, girl!
Ambitious and amazing dreams,
All waiting to be fulfilled, it seems.

Look at you, girl!
Cynosure of all eyes,
Waiting for you with bright smiles...

A girl who was thrown off the railway tracks by chain snatchers while she was travelling in a train, now has the world at her feet. Lying down at the hospital bed, doctors had to amputate one of her legs and the other one was also weak now. Despite all the pressure, she had resolved not to succumb to people's sympathetic comments and stand on her own legs, no matter how shaky they are! Before the traumatic accident, she was a national level volleyball player and was preparing for the entrance exam of police services.  Later the CISF(Central Industrial Security Force) gave her the post of Head constable on basis of her performance in the exam. Of course, her disability came her way in reaching the place she wanted to be. That is when Tata Steel Adventure foundation gave her a lifetime opportunity to get trained in mountaineering. The rest is known to all of us.
The first woman amputee to conquer Everest, Arunima Sinha said her journey from the railway tracks to the highest peak in the world was full of struggle.
These were mere facts but there is lot more that can be understood out of them. She was shattered and battered as if God was penalising her without a reason. What mattered at that moment was how she reacted and acted! She believed in her dreams that were still crystal clear in her mind. She could not even afford to shed a tear for many challenges waited for her. Training under the legend Ms. Bachendri Pal, the programme she had joined was certainly a morale booster for her. Since then, she has never looked back. What more does a person need for success other than the 3Ds i.e.  Determination, Discipline, Diligence? None of the D's were disturbed when Arunima lost one of her legs. Her never-say-die attitude helped her to scale the highest altitude leaving all others way behind. In an interview, she gave a detailed account of the struggles she had to undergo during the ascent. Bleeding legs, limited oxygen supply and slippery snow but nothing could stop her from accomplishing her mission. Now, she wishes to start a philanthropic sports coaching centre for the poor and physically challenged children. This is the best way she can enthuse motivation and inspiration in so many more Arunimas' who are anxiously waiting for a ray of light !

Note: As advised by a great friend, I must also introduce Ms. Bachendri Pal. She is the first Indian woman to have scaled the Mout Everest in 1984. Born in a middle class family, she has been an inspiration for women working in all areas. 


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