Vasumathi is one of the senior most active mountaineers from the state of Karnataka. She is Vice President of Karnataka Mountaineering Association, the oldest mountaineerign association in South India. Vasu is a 2-time Limca Book of Records holder for (a) being part of the first mother daughter team to climb a peak in India together and (b) being part of the first team of women to cross the Thar Desert on camel back.
A highly dynamic lady, she has multiple hobbies apart from being an avid mountaineer and mountaineering instructor and adventurer.. she is a painter, squash player and referee and a great cook… She has been an athlete in her younger days and has represented the state for many years… She has many achievements to list, and two of them are as below:
• Created History by leading the First Army Ladies Mountaineering Exp. to Mt Kulu Pumori (21,500 ft) in 1996
• She lead the first Dogra Ladies Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Ibex (20,400ft) in the Kinnaur Region
She has spent her life believing and proving that women can achieve anything that they put their mind to.. it is a pleasure to watch her play squash or trekking.. she puts the men and younger girls to shame :)
Gangotri Indumati
Gangotri is a pioneer woman mountaineer from the state of Gujarat. Later generations of mountaineers have grown up idolising her and taking inspiration from her achievements…She has also trained successive generations of mountaineers by being an Instructor in Mount Abu. This spirit of achievement began from a young age when she was a national champion in swimming… She is the first woman to cover the Gujarat coast on a bike.. has climbed about 14 peaks in the Indian Himalaya and led a couple of expeditions… to top it off, she is an honorary member of the American Alpine Club…
She is also an educationalist and is professionally qualified as a psychologist. She lives in Baroda and does a lot of work with children in schools and colleges...
well done girls.
ReplyDeleteyour efforts reminds me of a small story. It conveys my feelings too...
‘A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, “Why are you riding your bicycles?”
The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!” The teacher praised the first student. “You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do.”
The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!” The teacher commended the second student, “Your eyes are open, and you see the world.”
The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo.” The teacher gave his praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”
The fourth student replied, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings.” The teacher was pleased and said to the fourth student, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”
The fifth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.” The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, “I am your student.”’
Zen proverb