From the maths classroom to the top of Mount Everest, Piyali Basak’s journey has been uphill.
The girl from Chandernagore is not huffing and puffing though. She climbed the 8,848 metres without an oxygen cylinder. That takes a big heart and a lot more.
Even after making it to the top of the world, she has not abandoned the classroom. She still teaches mathematics at a primary school. She was honoured at The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence 2023 on Saturday. She also presented honours to a number of young winners, who have refused to be beaten by unfavourable circumstances.
Basak, 32, scaled Mount Everest in May 2022 without supplementary oxygen.
“Since my training days, I have realised I would be able to climb Mount Everest without oxygen support. I had this confidence,” she said. “I want to see a day when India becomes the best in the world in mountaineering. I would also be happy if I am able to contribute to the growth and development of young people.”
The champion handed several scholarships, among which was The DPS Megacity, Calcutta Scholarship. The two who received it were Rikta Halder, 14, and Rinku Halder, 9.
Their mother Minati earns a livelihood selling flowers and vegetables. She also works as a daily labourer to run the family. Their home in South 24 Parganas’ Joynagar has no electricity and sanitation facilities.
Minati’s father-in-law was the sole breadwinner but he is now serving a life sentence. Her husband took his own life in depression after his father’s conviction.
All the odds, however, could not dampen the spirit of the sisters who enjoy their studies and do not want to miss school. “We do not have to tell them to study. Both of them are quite serious about studies,” said their uncle.
Basak, who awarded the sisters, said: “Discipline and hard work can defeat all odds and many of the awardees showed such grit in the face of so much of difficulties.”