On Thin Ice

But Bajaj is not a novice in the field of extreme adventure sports. Daughter of an experienced adventurist,Ajeet Bajaj,who was the first Indian to ski to North Pole and South Pole in the same year,Deeya accompanied her father for the Trans Greenland Cross Country Skiing Expedition,which began on May 13,from Kangerlussuaq to Isua,in Greenland. The others on this expedition included: two Belgians,a New Zealander,an American and two Inuiks. It initially came as a surprise to both her parents,but they eventually agreed. “I insisted on accompanying my father since I have done something similar in the past. This expedition helped me grow,” remarks Bajaj,who undertook her first expedition in 2008,at the age of 14,on a sea-kayaking trip in Sjord,Greenland.

With unblinking excitement,Deeya recounts her experience on the trip — revisiting a snow-covered 60 year-old US base-camp from the Cold War days,to skiing on frozen lakes and meeting the natives,Inuits. “It was very interesting to meet the natives and interact with them,especially since they didn’t know English and we used sign language to communicate. In fact,two of the team members were Inuits and we eventually got to meet their family,” she gushes.

A Class 12 student from Shri Ram School,Deeya tried to overcome the anxiety of being the youngest participant before leaving for the expedition. “When I got there,everybody made me comfortable. In fact,throughout most of the journey,we were singing,cracking jokes and it was a lot of fun.” after living for 24 hours without any sunlight,under extreme weather,returning to Delhi was disorienting. “It’s so hot here. Skiing eight hours everyday,we covered 550 kilometers,but the experience was awesome. My parents were worried,but now they’re really proud.” But before she makes a career for herself in this field,she has to overcome another obstacle. “Class 12 !,” she smiles.

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