DREAM CAME TRUE

I would assume you have been sleeping under a rock for long if you have not heard about Stanzlin Laskit, Tashi Laskit, Rigzen Dolker and Tsering Angmo. They are four young girls who sumitted the highest Mount in the word. Yes, Mt. Everest and they did it at very young age of 18-22. This got them enlisted in the list of State Awardees 2017, too. True to the promise we made when we interviewed Rigzen Dolker, We The Women this week has brought for you about the journey of Tsering Angmo, second of the group.

If you have not read Rigzen’s tale, you can find it on our website www.thenewsnow.co.in in its section We The Women. For now, let’s know more about Tsering Angmo.

Tsering Angmo was only 18 years old when she summited the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest back in 2016. She was born to Paldan Tsomo and Stanzin Tsering, in Zanskar- the remote region of Ladakh. Her parents, who were bringing up their girl quite ordinarily, had never imagined that their little girl would bring them pride by such extraordinary achievement.

Today, Tsering is residing in village Spituk, which is 8 km away from Leh city. She is pursuing Bachelors of Arts and is currently in the 2nd semester at Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh.

Tsering shares, “Right now I am focusing on my studies because after the completion of graduation, I am planning to join Indian army or paramilitary services. I am interested in military services because I wish to serve my country."

Tsering was an adventurous soul right from her childhood.

“I have always been immensely interested in adventure sports. When I was studying in class 6th, I heard that a girl named Tsering Ladol from Ladakh scaled Mt. Everest in 2005; I got inspired by her. Since then I aspired to accomplish the same by climbing to the top of Mt. Everest one day,” she recalls.

Elaborating upon her efforts to fulfill her seemingly-impossible dream, Tsering says, “I started focusing on physical activities like running and exercise, but I was aware that dreaming about something and putting in efforts does not ensure accomplishing it.” She further adds, “I was fortunate to come across such opportunity and content that I proved myself worthy of it and that I made the best of it.”

But how exactly did it happen?

Tsering shares that while in school -Government Girls Higher Secondary School Leh- she got an opportunity to join National Cadet Corps (NCC), because of which she underwent selections for the first-ever all girls expedition of the NCC to scale the highest peak of the world, the Everest. She was among 100 cadets who were selected for basic training in Darjeeling Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), in January 2015.

She elaborates, “After the completion of the course, only 40 female cadets got through and were selected for pre-advance expedition in Manali. There, Mt. Deo Tibba 6001 m-19688 ft was successfully summitted by the team in the month of May and June.”

Tsering again got through and got selected for a pre-expedition in which 20 girls cadet in total were selected. In the month of August –October they attempted to summit Mt. Trishul 17120 m-23360 ft, which is located in Uttrakhand.

Tsering expresses, "Even though unfortunately we could not summit the peak but it was a learning experience and it instilled in us the respect for the altitude.”

Then finally, Siachen Glacier training was given to last final 10 girls NCC cadet, at the Indian Army’s Siachen Battle School, in the month of mid-January.

Tsering shares, "Being one among the ten women who were selected among the thousands was exhilarating because I was one step closer to fulfill my dream.”

In such long training and selection phase, Angmo gave her best and so in the month of March she was one among 10 cadets who were being trained both physically and mentally trained for the final destination.

As Tsering puts it, “At each step, the level of challenge was more intense than the previous one, with their unique stumbling blocks, which offered unique experiences and lessons.”

She further adds on, “Nothing beats the joy of finishing each expedition and succeeding to reach next level which made my dream to summit Mt. Everest, more clear and concrete. I enjoyed the journey towards my dream of scaling Mt. Everest In the meantime.”

As per Tsering, being born in Ladakh which is surrounded chain of great Himalayas, the mountaineering was not something out-of-track, or unnatural to her. She has always been fascinated by high mountains. She says that there is no doubt that it requires huge physical and mental strength and endurance but your interest plays a vital role too.

Talking about her approach towards the expedition and her accomplishments, Tsering shares, “My parents were worried me; about my health, my studies, my life. Despite this, they supported me and I am glad I did not let them down.” She adds amusingly, “I even covered up my studies later.”

Sharing her experience on the top of the world Tsering says, “When I was there, I felt exuberant achieving my long cherished dream; the view was surreal, full of mountain ranges covered by snow. It strangely reminds you of all your loved ones, flashbacks your life and gives you a clear vision of your life ahead.”

Contrasting her life before and after the expedition, Tesring expresses, “I feel stronger and more confident. My interests have enormously inclined towards adventure sports now. Before that my life simply revolved around school homework and other activities; now I am visionary and see my future full of opportunities to succeed.”

She further expresses, “My successful scaling of Mt. Everest which is the highest peak, is not merely an achievement for the public but is a great personal accomplishment as well.”

According to Tsering, after summiting Mt. Everest, she got appreciated and complimented from all around but when her teachers complimented her and the others for their success, it really touched her heart.

Talking about the fitness and health, Tsering explains, “Daily exercise and short marathon with good diet are my key points of physical fitness. My interest in outdoor sports like football, volleyball, and handball comes handy. During my training, I resorted to yoga and meditation as well, for mental health.”

Speaking about her mantra or ideology, as some might put it, Tsering says, “I believe that hard work eventually pays off, you just need to be sincere and dedicated. My dedication and perseverance for my work were the only reason I could live my dream.”

Talking about her perspective about the women of today, Tsering says, “Few years ago, our woman folk were mostly confined to academic areas only. Now our women are more courageous and are diverging into various fields; they are not only empowered as per their social status but also feel empowered inside which is refreshing and reassuring.”

To the women/girls out there, Tsering’s words are, “Nothing is impossible; if we have a strong determination and willpower, we can achieve anything. Don’t underestimate yourself for anything and never think you are any less than anybody; more specifically, don’t believe that you are any less than the opposite gender.”