NANDA DEVI BY SANDEEP MADADI

  

 Author - Sandeep Madadi

Publisher - Rumour books India

Genre - Food and travel

Book buy link -  @Amazon

Travel and mountaineering expeditions demand a marvellous spirit of adventure and specific skills to accomplish the planned task. Here is a book “NANDA DEVI by Sandeep Madadi“” that is successfully engrossed the readers by taking them on a trip to mountain treks and peak tops and heights through its wise and wonderful description of their experience during a mountaineering expedition.

All of us might have read many books on this subject and watched movies covering this aspect of an adventurous task. But this book is special in a way that has included the first -hand accounts of Padma Shri Anup Sah, GK Sharma and Col Ashwin Baindur who were part of the Nanda Devi Expedition.

The author Sandeep Madadi penned the entire expedition in 14 chapters along with few images and chronology of the events. Quote at the opening of every chapter, the glossary, foot notes at various points makes the readers feel the depth of their experience   and their perfectness inputting forward even the minutest details.

The major focus is not only on mountains and mountaineers, the book lays a thorough cover of the layout of the region, its people, culture and about the entire crew of the expedition. The role of porters in expedition throws light on the lives of the people of the region and their support for the mountaineers in completing their task.

Mountains are always looked up for their structure and massive look. It is always admired by people underneath it and it is used as a comparative object of a giant feature. I quote from the poem “Never place me so high” by A.B. Vajpayee

“A height

Whose touch alone

Turns water to stone,

Such height

That merely to look upon it Is to feel small,

May be deserving of praise,

An invitation to tireless climbers,

A good place to plant your flag. "

 

 Reading this book helps the readers to know the various struggles and impediments mountaineers cross over in order to reach the desired peak rather than just being an admirers of mountaineers. The author truly expresses the dreams, the losses, and the lessons learnt, sacrifices made by the earlier mountaineers in delicate words.

While dealing with the nearby places of the Himalayan region author points out the search for sanjeevani booti, and also the Monkey God who was never forgiven by the villagers of Dronagiri along with many mythological stories.

The book excels in incorporating all the information about the Himalayan region, Nanda Devi, IMF, Eco –tourism, skiing,   wildlife and above all the Nature’s act.

“In Garhwal, I met a true civilisation, for I found contentment and happiness. I saw a life that is not enslaved by the time- factor, that is not obsessed by the idea that happiness is dependent on money and materials.’’ Frank Smythe.   Reading this book will make us agree with the words of Frank.

 No doubt that mountains with their beauty, mystery and transcendence, can help lift our lives above the grime and dirt associated with the plains below. Till today, to conquer a mountain is seen as a human and spiritual feat. Read this book and join the band to conquer the mountains through words.

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