Editorial
Two amazing feats in a week
Wasfia has done us proud
Bangladesh's women have been doing exceedingly well in different fields and pushing bars in areas hitherto not trodden by them. The sheer ambition of conquering the mount Everest is an exalted goal and the exhilaration of achieving it is exulting not only for the achiever but also those who hear the news.
Within a week of Nishat Majumder leaving her foot-prints along with Muhith at the highest earthly point and planting our national flag, Wasfia Nazreen has done it conclusively emblazoning a new-found glory for our daughters and sisters. No obstacle can be insurmountable for our women -- that is the inspirational message they have put across.
The ultimate in gender balance has been naturally achieved at mount Everest when Musa Ibrahim and Muhith were matched by Nishat and Wasfia making it to the peak. They have endured the stiffest of tests in physical and mental endurance and sophisticated mountaineering techniques reaching world standards.
It takes years of sustained interest, single-minded pursuit, mind training, physical fitness conditioning and trekking technique applications in real mountain climbing to carve the niche at mount Everest. For instance, Wasfia was the first Bangladeshi woman to climb the African peak of mount Kilimanjaro. She had also reached mount Aconcaqua in Argentina but had to stop 300 metres short of mount Elbrus in Russia.
Stereotyping of women and discrimination against them in any form and manifestation should now be blown away by their extraordinary accomplishment in newer areas of human endeavour.
Their feats not only present them in a comparable light with their peers overseas they have also done our country and its people proud to the outside world. They are like our ambassadors extraordinaire.
Our hearty congratulations to Wasfia and again to Nishat. The round of our felicitations will remain incomplete if we do not extend the same to their families, patrons and sponsors who have rendered valuable services to women with grit and determination to make it to the brave, new world.
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