UPFRONT
AIR MILES
We talk to Nungshi and Tashi Malik, the first female twins to climb the Mount Everest. They tell us about their recent ascents in the Swiss Alps and how mountaineering became their fundamental drive.
Could you tell us a little bit about your accomplishments including the ascent to Mount Everest and the recent ones in the Swiss Alps? Nungshi: On May 19, 2013, Tashi and
I scaled Mount Everest, becoming the first twin sisters to do so. We're also the first female twins to complete the Seven Summits (highest peak in every continent) and complete the Explorers Grand Slam (seven summits plus the two poles: North and South) in just over two years. We have a total of nine Guinness World Records! Tashi: In September 2019, Nungshi and I led Indian team “Khukuri Warriors” in the “World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji” (Amazon Prime) that pitched 66 teams of adventure athletes from 30 nations against forces of
nature and against each other traversing 671 km of rugged Fijian landscape, ocean, rivers, lakes and jungles using dozen adventure activities. We were part of the 100 per cent women peak challenge in Switzerland wherein the core idea was to address the “gender challenge” in mountaineering and adventure! By scaling peaks of 4000 m altitude with all women crews, we aimed to inspire women to see mountaineering as a gender-neutral activity because as we always say “mountains do not discriminate based on gender”!
How did you realise mountain climbing is your passion? Tashi: It was absolutely by default! We were initiated into this sport soon after leaving school by the end of 2009.
Nungshi: It is our life’s most incredible
turning point. What started out as a oneoff exposure for personality development and self-awareness was to emerge our deepest passion!
What's the next big feat you have in your bucket list?
Our life journey is directed by our vision and values of the kind of person each of us would like to be and mountaineering is just one dimension of that vision. Our "bucket list" is growing and we like to keep a general direction of pursuits based on our passion or likes and stay ready to seize emerging or sudden opportunities that may come our way! Our mind, heart and soul are longing for more expeditions in the Swiss alps, especially the Matterhorn!
PM MODI'S ADDRESS TO NATION ABOUT 100 CRORE VACCINE MILESTONE PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI, in his address to the nation after the country crossed the milestone of 100 crore vaccinations, said it was not just a number but representative of the country’s ability and of a “new India”. “100 crore vaccines is just not a number. It is the reflection of the capacity of this country, this is a new chapter of the country, a country that knows how to achieve huge targets,” said the Prime Minister. Saying that the achievement was an answer to all those criticising India’s vaccination drive, Modi said, “Everyone is comparing India to other countries but remember India’s starting point was different. The other countries have always participated in medicine and vaccination for a long time and everyone questioned whether India will be able to do the needful. 100 crore jabs is the answer to all the questions.” india.gov.in
business traveller india
NOVEMBER 2021
7
