Short Answer Type Questions
1. Who was Major HPS Ahluwalia?
Answer: Major HPS Ahluwalia was a member of the first successful Indian expedition to the Mount Everest in 1965.
2. Why did author say that “instead of being jubilant” there was a tinge of sadness?
Answer: He said that “instead of being jubilant” there was a tinge of sadness, because he had already done the ‘ultimate’ in climbing and there would be nothing higher to climb as all roads hereafter would lead down.
3. How was the experience of author when he climbed mountains?
Answer: By climbing the summit of Everest, the author was overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness. It was a joy which lasts a lifetime. The experience changed him completely.
4. Explain why the Author summit to the Everest?
Answer: According the author the Summit, presents great difficulties. Man takes delight in ever coming obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to mountain means endurance, persistence and willpower, so it is very exciting to climb the mountains.
5. Why did the author feel change within himself?
Answer: He experienced change within himself which is called mystical because of the beauty, aloofness, might, ruggedness, and the difficulties encountered on the way.
6. Why did they leave the picture of God at Everest?
Answer: He left on the Everest a picture of Guru Nanak. Rawat left a picture of goddess Durga, Phu Dorji left a relic of the Buddha, Edmund Hillary had buried a cross under a cairn (a heap of rocks & stones) in the snow. These are not symbols of conquest but of reverence.
7. Write the physical and spiritual aspects of summit Mountain?
Answer: Whether the mountain you climb is physical or emotional and spiritual, the climb will certainly change people. It teaches us much about the world & about ourselves.
8. Why did author says that “internal summit are, perhaps, higher than Everest”?
Answer: He said “Internal summits are perhaps, higher than Everest”. Because his experience as an Everester has provided him the inspiration to face life’s ordeals resolutely. Climbing mountains gives worthwhile experience.
9. “The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again”. Why?
Answer: “The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again” because it is not easier to climb summit. Although it is physical exhaustion but obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. Because the experience is worthwhile.
10. Why did the author climb mountains?
Answer: The author has been attracted by Mountains from his childhood. He felt miserable and lost when he was away from mountain in the plains. It’s beauty and majesty pose a great challenge and they were means of communion with God. So he climbed mountains.
11. Why does the author become sad on reaching the top of the mountain?
Answer: On reaching the top of the mountain, the author became sad because his goal had been attained & now a certain vacuum had overcome in the absence of an aim. Also, the highest had been reached & the author realizes that from here on the journey would only lead downwards.
12. What does Ahluwalia have to say about the relationship between mountain climbing and life?
Answer: According to HPS Ahluwalia, there is a very close connection between these two journeys. His experience as an Everest climber gave him the inspiration to face life’s ordeals with great confidence.
13. How does the author view himself in the light of his surroundings, as he reaches the summit?
Answer: The author becomes more and more conscious of his smallness as he sees the universe from the mountain peak.
14. Why does the author become sad on reaching the top of the mountain?
On reaching the top of the mountain, the author becomes sad because their goal had been attained and now a certain vacuum had overcome in the absence of an aim. Also, the highest that from here on the journey would only lead downwards.
15. Why does HPS Ahluwalia compare climbing the mountain to a battle?
While climbing the mountain, one faces many obstacles and hindrances which consume every bit of the climber’s energy.
The passage back is also as difficult as the passage forward and it exhausts you entirely.
Just like in a battle it is a matter of life and death similarly in mountain climbing, the climbers are always putting their life at sake with every single movement that they make.
16. Why does the author not abandon the climb halfway?
Even in moments of sheer exhaustion, the author refuses to abandon the climb because climbing the mountain is all about team work and the companions are always a source of inspiration.
They keep pushing the limits, “another fifty feet or hundred may be.” Also, there is something unexplainable that does not allow the author to reach the top, perhaps because they were the first ones who would have done it.
17. Was reaching the top of the Everest the last challenge that the author wished to face?
No, the author is inspired by the beauty of nature and mountains being the best example of that.
On reaching the top of the Everest, the author sees another silvery peak, which the author felt was drawing his attention and calling him. So, having had climbed the highest did not put an end to the author’s expeditions.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. ‘The internal summit is, perhaps, higher than Everest’. What qualities do a human being should possess?
Answer: Man forces both internal and external constraints and challengers. The dilemmas and insecurities leave one weak. Intolerable pain and conflicts needed to be conquered as various mountaineers physically. The qualities needed are endurance, vision, persistence and willpower. Hurdles break one’s confidence but that should be overcome-with enriching experiences.
2. ‘Mountains are nature at its best’ why? Major Ahluwalia talks about in the lesson.
Answer: Mountains are nature’s blessing because they are abode of flora and fauna. They are mystic, serene, calm and quiet. One could experience closeness to God’s abode, heavenly father’s home from where it is considered that heavenly brink is showered upon all living creatures.
3. Why is important to climb the ‘summit within’?
According to the author, just like the physical mountains have lessons to teach, similarly the mountain peaks within have lessons to teach too.
They teach us life changing and everlasting experiences. Both the climbs are equally difficult, but once attained they change us forever.
They enable us to become more humble, gentler and more grateful and also help us to get closer to God. These lessons also instil us to face life’s challenges with great confidence.
4. Describe the scene that offers delight to the author as he reached the top of the Everest.
From the summit, the author could see other silvery peaks, which gave him a lots of pleasure. He could also see other peaks through the clouds giving the eye glimpses of great picturesque beauty. The sun rays created an illusion of a jewelled necklace around the neck of the summit. A little below the mountains were various sloping valleys that added to the beauty on the place. Also, as one looked down, it appeared as if the ultimate work ship to God was being offered.
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