Puneite sets foot on Everest

PUNE, May 18: I cannot describe my joy. Since noon, the tears of joy have not stopped and I've even forgotten to have my food,'' said 60-y...

PUNE, May 18: 8220;I cannot describe my joy. Since noon, the tears of joy have not stopped and I8217;ve even forgotten to have my food,8221; said 60-year old Sunanda Chavan, mother of Surendra Anant Chavan, the 37-year-old TELCO employee who on Monday became the first Puneite to set foot on the 8848-metre high peak of the Himalayas.

Chavan unfurled the Indian tri-colour on the world8217;s highest peak Mount Everest at 12.20 pm IST. He was the first among the 12-member Tata Everest expedition team to scale the Mount Everest. Chavan was on the top for about 20 minutes and his first words on reaching there were, 8220;it is dream come true.8221;

The team led by Hrishikesh Yadav set off from Rongbuk glacier, Tibet on the north side of the Everest. An elated Chavan with help of Immarsat terminal provided by VSNL himself relayed the adventurous news to Pramod Mahajan in the Prime Minister8217;s office. He was congratulated amidst joyous atmosphere by all including Congress leader Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi who appreciated the team effort. Chavan was assisted by four sherpas 8211; Dawa Tashi, Dawa Nuru, Tamtin and Tenzing.

Called as Mai by the relatives, Chavan8217;s mother spoke to The Indian Express on telephone from Dapoli in Konkan. 8220;I received a phone call from Pune around 12.30 pm and since then I am thrilled by the news,8221; she enthused.8220;Yes, I was concerned about him, but I had a strong confidence that he would be successful in his expedition.8221;

8220;Just yesterday, he appeared in my dreams for a short while. I felt scared at the moment and asked by daughter-in-law. She assured me that everything will be all right.8221;

Surendra, she said, always kept secret all the plans of his various expeditions. 8220;I was never told firmly that he was heading for the expedition. His friends said that the selection was yet to be confirmed. It was only a few days before the expedition that I learnt that Surendra was to go on the expedition.8221;

8220;Even the dark clouds in the sky scared me, but I always recalled his assurance given to me that everyone in the expedition will be taking proper care of all the teammates.8221;

Story continues below this ad

She recalled Surendra8217;s conviction to complete all the assignments. 8220;When he was nine-year-old, it was my wish that he should join the Sainik school.

He had received admission at the school in Jamnagar and when I asked him would he go there, he was just ready to go. I had blessed him then, and even when he left for the expedition, Surendra assured me that he would fulfil all my wishes.8221;