Sharapova lobs for gender equality in Indian textbook

Nothing succeeds like success. So, what better way to spread the message of gender equality among students than the stories of two very successful sportswomen - Russian tennis ace Maria Sharapova and Indian mountaineer Santosh Yadav.

An entire chapter, "Reach for the Top", has been dedicated to the two in the latest edition of the Class 9 English textbook of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

"The initial odds of childhood, the indomitable spirit and finally the amount of success of both the successful women can help Indian students imbibe the fighting spirit," said NCERT communication officer B.C. Patro.

"The feats of both the living legends will certainly help millions of our students bring down gender inequality and appreciate success beyond everything else," Patro told IANS.

With the scales tilted against the girl child in India, NCERT officials said they wanted to tell students that success depends on hard work, not gender. The chapter talks about the never-say-die attitude of the two sportswomen.

Sharapova is quoted as saying: "I became more quietly determined and mentally tough. I learnt how to take care of myself. I never thought of quitting because I knew what I wanted. When you come from nothing and you have nothing, then it makes you very hungry and determined."

The book says the unwavering desire to succeed and readiness to sacrifice lifted her to the top. Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping.

"Tennis is a business and a sport, but the most important thing is to become number one in the world. That is the dream that kept me going," Sharapova added.

Sharapova, 20, who has won two grand slam titles - Wimbledon 2004 and US Open 2006 - is currently the world number two player in women's tennis.

She rose to the No. 1 spot Aug 22, 2005, but her reign lasted only one week. She rose to the top rank again Sep 12, 2005, and held the position for six weeks.

Similarly, Santosh Yadav, the only woman in the world to conquer Mount Everest twice, has made it to the same book under the chapter "Reach for the Top".

Yadav was born in a landlord's family in Rewari district of Haryana, a state that is known for its male preference.

"The only woman in the world who has scaled Mt. Everest twice was born in a society where the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing, and of daughter, though not considered a curse, was not generally welcome," said the NCERT book.

The book said she threatened her parents that she would never marry if she did not get proper education. She climbed the Himalayan peak in May 1992 and then did it again in May 1993.

"At barely 20 years of age, Santosh scaled Mount Everest, becoming the youngest woman in the world to achieve the feat. If her climbing skills, physical fitness and mental strength impressed her seniors, her concern for others and desire to work together with them found her a special place in the heart of the climbers," the book underlined.

-Indo-Asian News Service

(IANS)

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