In India, maybe the first lesson in school textbooks on women empowerment comes with the example of Bachendri Pal. How she braved all adversities and became the first Indian woman on May 23, 1984, to unfurl the tricolour on top of the 8,848 m-high Mount Everest is a story we have all heard and read.
Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian award in 2019, Ms. Pal was named the director of the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) soon after she conquered the highest peak of the world.
Backed my efforts
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the historic climb, she reminisced, “Tata Steel backed me when no one else believed in me. Even as my family kept pushing my brothers towards higher education, Tata handed me ₹1,500 before my climb. In those days, that was a lot.”
‘Is mountaineering actually considered a sport?’ Its is a question the 65-year old mountaineer has often faced. “Obviously it should be, considering the risk that we take,” she says.
Ms. Pal added, “Thing is people do not get to sit and clap in front of their TV sets. It is not always about competitiveness. Sometimes we should consider team effort as well.”
Ms. Pal also talked about a specific incident from her summit push which, she said, she hadn’t revealed to anyone till date. “There were people who weren’t happy that I was a part of the team... as if I was some extra baggage. People feel women are not capable enough to do great stuff. When I had come down to help people who were finding it difficult to climb by bringing some hot water and tea, others didn’t like it and refused to come down. Even if you are unable to help, sometimes even your presence makes a difference,” she said.
“Others complained to the leader. He scolded them instead for letting me leave the camp alone. He later asked me what the situation was... The next day I had also overheard people objecting to my climb saying if it happens they wouldn’t accompany me. The leader would have none of it though,” laughed Ms. Pal.