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| Taking the Field Determination and courage define these young women, who are passionate about changing the perception of sport in India Krushnaa Patil, Mountaineer by Mridu Khullar For Krushnaa Patil's family, vacations were always in the Himalayas. It was no surprise to anyone when this 20-year-old with a love of mountains enrolled in the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) at Uttarkashi for a basic course in 2007 followed by an advance course in 2008. Soon after, Krushnaa got the chance to be a part of the pre-Everest expedition, and at 18, became the youngest person to scale Mount Satopanth (Garhwal Himalayas in Uttaranchal). Everest followed in May 2009, when she became the youngest Indian (after Dickey Dolma) to summit the peak. In high school, Krushnaa was part of a contemporary dance troupe and had always wanted to be a choreographer and performer. "I was much more passionate about dance than sports." But along came the opportunity to be part of the pre-Everest expedition, which she calls "the turning point" of her life. Meanwhile, after trying unsuccessfully to get sponsorship for their daughter, her parents took out a loan to support her climb to Mount Everest. "When I was on the mountains, I was thinking whether I summit or not, I just didn't have a way to pay back such a big amount." Krushnaa did summit, and that's when it started snowballing. The bank her parents had taken the loan from waived it off. The Indian government started funding her efforts, and prizes and accolades followed. She was then able to fund Antarctica and South America expeditions with money she'd received from the government. On the literal top of the world, Krushnaa says she felt blank. "Once I was on top, I knew that I was here and had finished what I came to do. At least half the job was done." Currently, she's on a quest to become the first Indian woman to scale the Seven Summits, the highest peaks of the seven continents. Trying to fit all seven peaks in a year, Krushnaa has finished four, that is, Everest (Asia), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Vinson Massif (Antarctica) and Aconcagua (South America). She is hoping to finish the last three-- Mount McKinley (North America), Elbrus (Europe) and Kosciuszko (Australia)-- before May 2010. Krushnaa believes that when it comes to sport in India, you have to create your own opportunities. "I think we give up very easily. But the point is support will come. I made my own opportunity. The government gave me a lot of money, but only after I climbed Everest and had proven myself." |
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