Nishat Mazumder, a Bangladeshi woman in her early forties, is a sports icon. She comes of a modest background; her father is a businessman and her mother is a housewife. She is the second of four siblings. She is not very tall or well built, or does not have a charming princess look; but this apparently ordinary girl has three things that she can be proud of. These are: she has extraordinarily supportive parents who accepted her dreams as real; her father was a freedom fighter in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, and she scaled the highest peak in the world as the first Bangladeshi girl in 2012. Nishat’s life presents an inspirational story that the youth in Bangladesh needs to know.
Nishat was born on 5 January 1981 in a village called Teori, which is situated in Ramganj upazila in Lakshmipur District. She completed her schooling from Bottomley Home Girls’ High School in 1997, and passed HSC from Shahid Anwar Girls’ College in 1999. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting from Dhaka City College, and currently works for Dhaka WASA as an accountant. She is also interested in different languages and cultures of the world, and has enrolled for her MA in Japan Studies at Dhaka University. For us, Nishat’s life comes across as especially significant because it tells us how the influence of one person can motivate someone to dream big. As the daughter of a freedom fighter, Nishat had to face many obstacles in her life, but her mother, her role model, gave her courage and determination to overcome them and pursue her dreams.
Ashura Mazumder, Nishat’s mother, is a hardworking and understanding woman, who has been a pillar of support for her family in the direst of situations. Nishat learned from her mother how to keep mental strength in calamitous moments of life. Learning from her, Nishat began her dream of conquering mountains.
Have you heard of Superman, and the Hollywood film showing his adventures? Christopher Reeve, the actor who played the role of Superman in the film said in a speech he gave at the Democratic National Convention in 1996 – “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” This has happened in Nishat’s life too. Though she had a long-cherished dream to be a mountaineer, it was not until 2003 that she could climb the 967 feet high Keokradong.
The climbing event was organized on 29 May 2003 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s conquest of Mount Everest. Nishat had walked the streets of Dhaka with a 15 kg backpack for three consecutive days to make her body ready for the climb before the real expedition. Factors like chance, dedication, and creating opportunities are important for anyone’s success, but a sportsperson should also have discipline and perseverance to succeed. Institutional and professional training are also necessary. Nishat joined Bangladesh Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC) in 2006, and completed a basic training course at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, India in 2007. After that, she scaled peaks in the Himalayan range one after another, joining several teams from Bangladesh. Today we have a mountain peak in the Himalayas, the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak, so named because mountaineers from the two friendly countries jointly climbed it for the first time. Nishat’s team was led by M. A. Mohit, who has been on top of Everest and quite a few other peaks higher than 8000 meters.
In Bangladesh, mountaineering is a new sport activity, and we are yet to develop a culture that will encourage a woman’s mountaineering activities. Nishat took the challenge, and she was supported by her parents. This is an expensive sport, and Nishat and other mountaineers could not have succeeded if several organizations did not help them. Nishat was ambassador of “Because I am a Girl” campaign of Plan International’s Bangladesh chapter in her expedition to Mount Everest in 2012. She wanted to leave a message for all people of Bangladesh that a girl can do anything a boy can do, and hence every girl should have support from her parents and society in every challenging activity.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
1. What is the primary achievement of Nishat Mazumder mentioned in the text?(i) She became an actress.(ii) She scaled Mount Everest.(iii) She became a government official.(iv) She established a trekking club.
2. Where was Nishat Mazumder born?(i) Dhaka(ii) Teori village, Lakshmipur District(iii) Rangamati(iv) Ramganj town
3. What did Nishat’s parents provide that helped her achieve her dreams?(i) Financial wealth(ii) Extraordinary support and encouragement(iii) Professional training(iv) A mountaineering club
4. What educational qualifications does Nishat hold?(i) Only a master’s degree in mountaineering(ii) Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting(iii) Bachelor’s degree in Literature(iv) Diploma in Sports Science
5. How did Nishat prepare for her first climbing expedition?(i) By attending a climbing workshop(ii) By walking with a 15 kg backpack in Dhaka streets(iii) By practicing on local hills(iv) By taking yoga lessons
6. When did Nishat climb Keokradong, her first mountain?(i) 2003(ii) 1997(iii) 2012(iv) 2006
7. Which organization supported Nishat’s Mount Everest expedition?(i) Plan International’s Bangladesh Chapter(ii) The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute(iii) Dhaka WASA(iv) Bangladesh Mountaineering Federation
8. What message did Nishat aim to convey by climbing Mount Everest?(i) Bangladesh should invest in mountaineering.(ii) Girls can achieve as much as boys.(iii) Mountaineering is an adventurous sport.(iv) She wanted to showcase her skills globally.
9. What personal qualities does the text attribute to Nishat?(i) Intelligence and charm(ii) Dedication and perseverance(iii) Wealth and privilege(iv) Strength and athleticism
10. Who is Ashura Mazumder, and what role did she play in Nishat’s life?(i) Nishat’s coach(ii) Nishat’s mother and role model(iii) Nishat’s sister and climbing partner(iv) A famous mountaineer
11. What is the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak?(i) A peak named to honor Nishat’s achievement(ii) A peak climbed jointly by mountaineers from Nepal and Bangladesh(iii) A mountain Nishat scaled alone(iv) A mountain in Dhaka
12. What training institute did Nishat attend in 2007?(i) Bangladesh Mountaineering and Trekking Club(ii) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling(iii) Everest Climbing School, Nepal(iv) Dhaka Sports Institute
13. What did Nishat Mazumder represent during her Everest expedition?(i) Women’s rights and empowerment(ii) National pride of Bangladesh(iii) Global environmental awareness(iv) Friendship between nations
14. What challenge does the text highlight regarding mountaineering in Bangladesh?(i) It is expensive and lacks societal support for women.(ii) It is dominated by international climbers.(iii) It is an unrecognized sport.(iv) It requires foreign sponsorships.
15. What motivated Nishat to pursue mountaineering?(i) Her mother’s courage and inspiration(ii) Government support(iii) Peer pressure from friends(iv) A passion for traveling
Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
What is the primary achievement of Nishat Mazumder mentioned in the text?(ii) She scaled Mount Everest.
Where was Nishat Mazumder born?(ii) Teori village, Lakshmipur District.
What did Nishat’s parents provide that helped her achieve her dreams?(ii) Extraordinary support and encouragement.
What educational qualifications does Nishat hold?(ii) Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting.
How did Nishat prepare for her first climbing expedition?(ii) By walking with a 15 kg backpack in Dhaka streets.
When did Nishat climb Keokradong, her first mountain?(i) 2003.
Which organization supported Nishat’s Mount Everest expedition?(i) Plan International’s Bangladesh Chapter.
What message did Nishat aim to convey by climbing Mount Everest?(ii) Girls can achieve as much as boys.
What personal qualities does the text attribute to Nishat?(ii) Dedication and perseverance.
Who is Ashura Mazumder, and what role did she play in Nishat’s life?(ii) Nishat’s mother and role model.
What is the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak?(ii) A peak climbed jointly by mountaineers from Nepal and Bangladesh.
What training institute did Nishat attend in 2007?(ii) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.
What did Nishat Mazumder represent during her Everest expedition?(i) Women’s rights and empowerment.
What challenge does the text highlight regarding mountaineering in Bangladesh?(i) It is expensive and lacks societal support for women.
What motivated Nishat to pursue mountaineering?(i) Her mother’s courage and inspiration.
B. Answer the following questions:
1. Who is Nishat Mazumder, and why is she considered a sports icon in Bangladesh?
2. What are the three qualities that Nishat is proud of in her life?
3. Where was Nishat born, and how did her upbringing influence her journey?
4. What role did Nishat’s parents play in helping her achieve her dreams?
5. Why does the text describe Nishat’s life as an inspirational story for Bangladeshi youth?
6. How did Nishat’s father’s role as a freedom fighter shape her determination?
7. What qualities did Nishat inherit from her mother, Ashura Mazumder?
8. How does the quote from Christopher Reeve relate to Nishat’s journey?
9. What significant event in 2003 marked Nishat’s first step into mountaineering?
10. How did Nishat prepare herself physically for her first climbing expedition?
11. What was the purpose of the 2003 climbing event Nishat participated in?
12. What challenges did Nishat face as a woman in mountaineering in Bangladesh?
13. What institutional training did Nishat undergo to enhance her climbing skills?
14. How did the Bangladesh Mountaineering and Trekking Club contribute to Nishat’s success?
15. Why is the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak significant in Nishat’s career?
Answer of the questions:
Who is Nishat Mazumder, and why is she considered a sports icon in Bangladesh?Nishat Mazumder is the first Bangladeshi woman to climb Mount Everest. She is considered a sports icon in Bangladesh because of her groundbreaking achievement in mountaineering, which has inspired many young people, especially women, to pursue their dreams.
What are the three qualities that Nishat is proud of in her life?Nishat Mazumder is proud of her determination, perseverance, and courage, which helped her overcome obstacles and achieve success in mountaineering.
Where was Nishat born, and how did her upbringing influence her journey?Nishat was born in Teori village, Lakshmipur District, Bangladesh. Her parents provided strong encouragement and support, which helped her develop confidence and determination to achieve her goals despite societal challenges.
What role did Nishat’s parents play in helping her achieve her dreams?Nishat’s parents played a crucial role by encouraging her dreams, supporting her ambitions, and instilling confidence in her. Their support helped her break societal barriers and pursue her passion for mountaineering.
Why does the text describe Nishat’s life as an inspirational story for Bangladeshi youth?Nishat’s life is an inspiration because she proved that hard work and perseverance can lead to success, even in a challenging field like mountaineering, where women face societal and financial obstacles.
How did Nishat’s father’s role as a freedom fighter shape her determination?Nishat’s father’s experience as a freedom fighter inspired her with a sense of bravery, resilience, and the belief that determination can overcome any challenge.
What qualities did Nishat inherit from her mother, Ashura Mazumder?Nishat inherited strength, courage, and perseverance from her mother, who was her role model and biggest supporter in achieving her dreams.
How does the quote from Christopher Reeve relate to Nishat’s journey?The quote emphasizes that true heroism comes from determination and the courage to face challenges, which perfectly describes Nishat’s journey in mountaineering.
What significant event in 2003 marked Nishat’s first step into mountaineering?In 2003, Nishat climbed Keokradong, which was her first experience in mountaineering and marked the beginning of her journey toward scaling Everest.
How did Nishat prepare herself physically for her first climbing expedition?She prepared by walking in Dhaka streets with a 15 kg backpack to build endurance and strength for her climbing expeditions.
What was the purpose of the 2003 climbing event Nishat participated in?The event aimed to train and introduce new climbers to mountaineering, helping them gain experience and skills.
What challenges did Nishat face as a woman in mountaineering in Bangladesh?Nishat faced financial constraints, societal barriers, and lack of proper mountaineering facilities in Bangladesh, which made her journey difficult.
What institutional training did Nishat undergo to enhance her climbing skills?Nishat attended the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling in 2007, where she received professional training in climbing techniques.
How did the Bangladesh Mountaineering and Trekking Club contribute to Nishat’s success?The club provided guidance, mentorship, and opportunities for Nishat to practice mountaineering and gain experience before her Everest expedition.
Why is the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak significant in Nishat’s career?The Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak symbolizes collaboration between the two countries in mountaineering and highlights Nishat’s achievement in international climbing expeditions.
Bangla Translation
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ
চল্লিশোর্ধ বাংলাদেশি নারী নিশাত মজুমদার একজন ক্রীড়া আইকন। তাঁর জন্ম একটি সুশীল পরিবারে; তাঁর বাবা একজন ব্যবসায়ী এবং মা গৃহিণী। চার ভাইবোনের মধ্যে তিনি দ্বিতীয়। তিনি তেমন লম্বা অথবা সুগঠিত নন, এমনকি নেই অসাধারণ রাজকুমারী সুলভ চেহারা; কিন্তু এই দৃশ্যত সাধারণ নারীর গর্ব করার মতো তিনটি বিষয় আছে। বিষয়গুলো হলো— তাঁর আছে অসাধারণ উৎসাহ প্রদানকারী বাবা-মা, যাঁরা তাঁর স্বপ্নকে আন্তরিকতার সাথে গ্রহণ করেছেন; তাঁর বাবা ছিলেন ১৯৭১ সালের মুক্তিযুদ্ধের একজন মুক্তিযোদ্ধা; এবং তিনি ২০১২ সালে প্রথম বাংলাদেশি নারী হিসেবে বিশ্বের সুউচ্চ চূড়ায় আরোহন করেন। নিশাতের জীবন বাংলাদেশের তরুণ-তরুণীদের জন্য অনুপ্রেরণামূলক গল্প পেশ করে, যা তাদের জানা জরুরি।
নিশাত লক্ষ্মীপুর জেলার রামগঞ্জ উপজেলায় অবস্থিত তিওরি নামক গ্রামে ৫ জানুয়ারি ১৯৮১ সালে জন্মগ্রহণ করেন। তিনি ১৯৯৭ সালে বটমলি হোম বালিকা উচ্চ বিদ্যালয় থেকে বিদ্যালয়ের পাঠ শেষ করেন এবং ১৯৯৯ সালে শহীদ আনোয়ার গার্লস কলেজ থেকে উচ্চমাধ্যমিক পাশ করেন। তিনি ঢাকা সিটি কলেজ থেকে হিসাববিজ্ঞান বিষয়ে স্নাতক এবং স্নাতকোত্তর ডিগ্রি অর্জন করেন এবং বর্তমানে তিনি ঢাকা ওয়াসাতে একজন হিসাবরক্ষক হিসেবে কর্মরত আছেন। তিনি বিশ্বের বিভিন্ন দেশের ভাষা এবং সংস্কৃতি নিয়েও ব্যাপক আগ্রহী এবং বর্তমানে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের জাপান স্টাডিজ বিভাগে স্নাতকোত্তর অধ্যয়নরত।
আশুরা মজুমদার, নিশাতের মা, একজন কর্মঠ এবং সহানুভূতিশীল নারী, যিনি তাঁদের পরিবারের সংকটময় অবস্থায় পরিবারের ভরসা ছিলেন। নিশাত তাঁর মায়ের কাছ থেকে শিখেছেন কীভাবে জীবনের কঠিন পরিস্থিতিতে মানসিক শক্তি ধরে রাখতে হয়। তাঁর মায়ের কাছ থেকে শিক্ষা নিয়ে, নিশাত পর্বত জয়ের স্বপ্ন দেখা শুরু করেন।
তোমরা কি সুপারম্যান অথবা তার দুঃসাহসিক অভিযানপূর্ণ হলিউড সিনেমা সম্পর্কে শুনেছো? সুপারম্যানের ভূমিকায় অভিনয় করা ক্রিস্টোফার রিভ ১৯৯৬ সালে অনুষ্ঠিত ডেমোক্রেটিক ন্যাশনাল কনভেনশনে বলেন, “প্রথমদিকে আমাদের স্বপ্নগুলো অসম্ভব বলে মনে হয়, তারপর অবাস্তব মনে হয়, এবং যখন আমরা আমাদের ইচ্ছাশক্তি জাগিয়ে তুলি, তখন তা বাস্তব হয়ে যায়।”
এডমন্ড হিলারি এবং তেনজিং নোরগেই-এর মাউন্ট এভারেস্ট বিজয়ের ৫০তম বার্ষিকী উপলক্ষে ২৯ মে ২০০৩ সালে পর্বতারোহণের আয়োজন করা হয়। নিশাত অভিযানের আগে তিন দিন ধরে ঢাকার রাস্তায় ১৫ কেজি ব্যাকপ্যাক নিয়ে হাঁটতেন, নিজেকে প্রস্তুত করতে। ২০০৬ সালে তিনি বাংলাদেশ মাউন্টেনিয়ারিং অ্যান্ড ট্রেকিং ক্লাবে যোগ দেন এবং ২০০৭ সালে দার্জিলিংয়ের হিমালয়ান মাউন্টেনিয়ারিং ইনস্টিটিউটে প্রশিক্ষণ গ্রহণ করেন। এরপর তিনি বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন অভিযানে অংশ নিয়ে একের পর এক হিমালয় শৃঙ্গ জয় করতে থাকেন।
বর্তমানে হিমালয়ে আমাদের একটি পর্বতচূড়া আছে, নেপাল-বাংলাদেশ ফ্রেন্ডশিপ পিক। এটি দুই দেশের অভিযাত্রীরা প্রথমবার একসঙ্গে আরোহণ করায় এই নামকরণ করা হয়েছে।
বাংলাদেশে পর্বতারোহণ এখনো নতুন খেলা, এবং নারীদের উৎসাহিত করার মতো পরিবেশ গড়ে ওঠেনি। নিশাত এই চ্যালেঞ্জ গ্রহণ করেছিলেন, এবং তাঁর বাবা-মা তাঁকে সমর্থন করেছিলেন। তিনি ২০১২ সালে "কারণ আমি একজন মেয়ে" ক্যাম্পেইনের প্রতিনিধি ছিলেন এবং বাংলাদেশে একটি বার্তা পৌঁছে দিতে চেয়েছিলেন—মেয়েরাও ছেলেদের মতো সবকিছু করতে পারে এবং তাই প্রত্যেক চ্যালেঞ্জিং কাজে তাদের সমর্থন করা উচিত।
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Icon - প্রতিমূর্তি
Modest - বিনম্র
Background - পটভূমি
Businessman - ব্যবসায়ী
Housewife - গৃহিণী
Siblings - ভাইবোন
Tall - লম্বা
Well-built - সুগঠিত
Charming - আকর্ষণীয়
Princess - রাজকুমারী
Apparently - প্রদর্শনযোগ্যভাবে
Ordinary - সাধারণ
Supportive - সহায়ক
Parents - পিতা-মাতা
Dreams - স্বপ্ন
Freedom fighter - মুক্তিযোদ্ধা
Liberation War - মুক্তিযুদ্ধ
Scaled - আরোহণ করা
Peak - শিখর
Inspirational - অনুপ্রেরণামূলক
Youth - যুবক
Significant - গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
Influence - প্রভাব
Motivated - উত্সাহিত
Obstacles - বাধা
Courage - সাহস
Determination - দৃঢ়সংকল্প
Overcome - অতিক্রম করা
Pursue - অনুসরণ করা
Hardworking - পরিশ্রমী
Understanding - বোঝাপড়া
Pillar - স্তম্ভ
Mental strength - মানসিক শক্তি
Calamitous - বিপর্যয়কর
Role model - আদর্শ
Conquer - জয় করা
Mountains - পর্বত
Hollywood - হলিউড
Actor - অভিনেতা
Adventures - অভিযাত্রা
Democratic - গণতান্ত্রিক
Convention - সম্মেলন
Impossible - অসম্ভব
Improbable - অসম্ভাব্য
Summon - আহ্বান করা
Inevitable - অনিবার্য
Cherished - প্রিয়
Mountaineer - পর্বতারোহী
Climb - আরোহণ
Anniversary - বার্ষিকী
Conquest - জয়
Expedition - অভিযানে
Discipline - শৃঙ্খলা
Perseverance - অধ্যবসায়
Success - সফলতা
Professional - পেশাদার
Institutional - প্রতিষ্ঠানিক
Training - প্রশিক্ষণ
Mountaineering - পর্বতারোহন
Trekking - ট্রেকিং
Club - ক্লাব
Himalayan - হিমালয়
Range - পরিসীমা
Nepal - নেপাল
Friendship - বন্ধুত্ব
Team - দল
Expedition - অভিযানে
Everest - এভারেস্ট
Challenge - চ্যালেঞ্জ
Culture - সংস্কৃতি
Encourage - উত্সাহিত করা
Expensive - ব্যয়বহুল
Organizations - প্রতিষ্ঠান
Ambassador - রাষ্ট্রদূত
Campaign - প্রচারণা
Leave - ছেড়ে যাওয়া
Message - বার্তা
Society - সমাজ
Help - সাহায্য
Success - সফলতা
Women - মহিলা
Girl - মেয়ে
Boy - ছেলে
Support - সমর্থন
Physical strength - শারীরিক শক্তি
Courageous - সাহসী
Dedication - উৎসর্গ
Accomplishment - অর্জন
Glory - গৌরব
Recognition - স্বীকৃতি
Determined - দৃঢ়সংকল্পিত
Achievement - সাফল্য
Determination - সংকল্প
Awareness - সচেতনতা
Empowerment - ক্ষমতায়ন
Mountaineering club - পর্বতারোহন ক্লাব
Safety - সুরক্ষা
Exploration - অনুসন্ধান
Challenge - চ্যালেঞ্জ
Growth - বৃদ্ধি
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